1976 Datsun Grille Emblem Badge 40827h on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes B55 (2011) - a ballistic V8 B-class

Mercedes' tuning arm AMG has not yet ventured into sensible B-class territory, but a bunch of Merc trainees in Germany has come up with this: the B55. It's a V8-powered B-class, complete with AMG-spec 383bhp 5.5-litre V8 mounted up front and driving an old W210 E-class rear axle. Sounds like a promising skunkworks special, derived from an old B200 CDI hack that was kicking about the training centre.

Saab pulls out of Frankfurt motor show

It's become a cliché in the automotive press to proceed Saab with the word 'troubled' recently. Yet the company's latest announcement does little to dispel the notion that all is not well in Trollhatten, as it has announced that it will not be featuring at September's Frankfurt auto show. The Swedish car manufacturer has had trouble paying suppliers in recent months, and it is thought that Saab will instead use the money allotted to Frankfurt in order to pay them.

Audi confirms 2016 Q1 compact SUV

Audi Audi has confirmed it will begin production of a premium compact crossover Q1 model in 2016 to rival the MINI Countryman and Nissan Juke. The Q1 will be Audi’s entry-level off-roader, sitting below the current Q3, Q5 and Q7 SUVs. On Bing: see pictures of the Audi Q1Find out how much a used Audi Q3 costs on Auto Trader In confirming the Q1, Audi chief executive officer Rupert Stadler highlighted, "the Q1 is a key component of our [Audi’s] growth strategy." The German manufacturer’s A1 supermini has proved a success following its introduction back in 2010, and now the four-ringed firm wants a slice of the market in the compact off-road sector.