1999 Arctic Cat Zl 600 on 2040-parts.com

Redesigned Ford Escape SUV is recalled for carpet issue

Ford is recalling about 8,200 copies of the redesigned 2013 Ford Escape SUV to fix a carpeting flaw that could affect the driver's ability to use the brakes. Ford says the affected vehicles were built between March 8 and June 7, 2012. According to Ford, an improperly installed piece of carpet padding on the center-console trim panel could cause a driver's foot to hit the side of the side of the brake pedal when moving from the accelerator pedal.

Mercedes E Class Estate leaked

The first picture of the new Mercedes E Class Estate has leaked out The new Mercedes E Class leaked and then launched earlier this year, and the E Class Coupe turned out to be a C Class Coupe in disguise. We also reported in May that Mercedes was considering delaying the launch of the E Class Estate and E Class Cabriolet for a year or so until the economy recovered. But it’s now clear that the next instalment of the E Class story – the Mercedes E Class Estate – will launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and the first picture has leaked our way!

Mercedes-Benz courts Renault for new Smart model based on Twingo

Mercedes-Benz is set to join forces with Renault in a deal aimed at providing its underdeveloped Smart division with a contemporary-engineered front-engine/front-wheel-drive platform as the basis for a frugal new Forfour model. The new Smart, due out in 2013, is planned to sit on a lightly modified version of the Renault Twingo’s underpinnings, complete with a 93.3-inch wheelbase. Speaking about the new car over the weekend, a highly placed Mercedes-Benz official told AutoWeek: “It’s a key component in plans to grow the Smart brand.