1996 Ford Escort / Mercury Tracer Shop Manual / Original Service Book on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes SLK250 CDI (2011) the diesel roadster revealed

Mercedes has revealed the latest addition to its little roadster line-up – the SLK250 CDI. It’s the first time the Mercedes SLK has been offered with diesel power; the new oil-burning convertible will be officially unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. What makes the Mercedes SLK250 CDI special?

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.

Honda EV-Ster

One of Honda's many debutants at Tokyo 2011 was the EV-Ster concept. The tiny two-seat roadster boasts an electric rear-wheel drive layout beneath the ‘dynamic and innovative' exterior styling. The heavily defined flanks and short over-hangs give the EV-Ster a sporting stance, the extensive use of carbon composites further confirming this, whilst the DRG boasts the familiar alternate energy family graphics.