2) 265-40-17 94w Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz CL gets a facelift for 2011

Three years after its introduction, Mercedes-Benz has given the CL a mid-cycle facelift, providing the big two-door with lightly altered bumpers--those up front with new LED daytime running lamps, reshaped headlamps, a more contoured hood, larger exterior mirrors with integrated indicators and revised tail-lamp lenses, among other detailed visual changes. More significant than the styling tweaks, however, are the changes underneath the hood, with the arrival of a new twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 direct-injection gasoline engine--the first of Mercedes-Benz's advanced MoVe powerplants that aim to bring efficiency gains to its lineup. With 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, the new engine delivers 47 hp and 125 lb-ft more than the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 it replaces in the four-year-old CL500--enough to lower the luxury coupe's 0-to-62-mph time by 0.5 second to 4.9 seconds.

Who's Where: Christopher Weil becomes head of Mini exterior design, Marcus Syring head of Rolls-Royce exteriors

An internal reshuffle in Munich has seen Christopher Weil appointed head of exterior design for Mini, replacing Marcus Syring who takes up a similar position at Rolls-Royce. The changes see Weil return to Munich after just over a year as director of automotive design at BMW DesignworksUSA in LA. His portfolio includes the BMW 328 Hommage, F30 3 Series, 5 Series GT, current 7 Series and 4 Series.

Puzzling Parking Signs 'Confuse' Motorists

A NEW survey has revealed that parking signs confuse motorists, to the point that it can lead to drivers being penalised for their unintended transgressions. The poll, conducted by car insurance company Churchill, found that of those fined, clamped or who had their vehicle towed away in the last two years, 22% said they were unable to understand the parking restrictions in that area. Also, 41% of the 2,001 people polled said parking signs in their area were confusing, while 33% avoided parking in their local town or city centre for this very reason In addition, the puzzling signs led to 9% avoiding parking around their own residential area.