1985-1988 Toyota Quartz Dash Clock on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen takes stake in Suzuki

VW takes a 19.9% stake in Suzuki We’re back on the co-operation and rationalisation path again, this time with Volkswagen and Suzuki, with the announcement that VW is to take a 19.9% stake in Suzuki, with Suzuki in turn re-investing up to half of the proceeds in to Volkswagen shares. This deal has been on the cards for some time but has obviously been pushed in to reality by the changing landscape for car manufacturers, where they seek to find a more secure future with takeovers, mergers and partnerships. Which is all very logical, even if it will inevitably lead to less choice for the car buyer in the long term.

Volvo V40 range gets new Drive-E engines

From May this year Volvo will update its V40 model, equipping the premium Swedish hatchback with its range of high-efficiency Drive-E engines and Volvo’s latest eight-speed automatic gearbox. This means the revised V40 line-up now offers an impressive performance to efficiency ratio, with 190hp on offer in the D4 turbodiesel variant, returning a claimed 74.3mpg combined with 99g/km CO2 when mated to the six-speed manual. On Bing: see pictures of the Volvo V40 Find out how much a used Volvo V40 costs on Auto Trader This makes it even more efficient than the current, less powerful 177hp, 185g/km D4 turbodiesel.

Bored of wheels? Wings are up for auction

ONE-TIME opportunities don't come much rarer than having a chance to buy the only Panavia Tornado F3 in private hands anywhere in the world. Or a Harrier jump jet, if you prefer, and what's more the Harrier's flying days might not be over. That's right: alongside around 100 classic cars and motorbikes, Silverstone Auctions is to sell both of these astonishing pieces of British aviation history – with no reserve.