2003 Galant Transmission on 2040-parts.com

New Mercedes B Class to spawn 7 Seat version

It looks like Mercedes are going to stretch the appeal of the new B Class by adding a new 7 seat option. Mercedes foray in to small hatchbacks has not exactly been an unmitigated success. The last generation A and B class were really just two sizes of the same car, neither of which had much driver appeal and were bought as runarounds by Mercedes buyers who wanted a car for ‘er indoors.

Smoking in cars containing children to be banned

SMOKING IN CARS in the presence of children is to be outlawed in England by the end of the year, Downing Street has signalled, after MPs voted overwhelmingly to make it a criminal offence. A No 10 source said Parliament had made its view clear and ministers are now looking at the practicalities of implementing the ban, with a view to getting it place before 2015. The Commons voted by 376 to 107 last night - a majority of 269 - to give the Health Secretary the power to impose a ban in England.

Audi puts a price on its 2012 V8 S Models – S6, S7 & S8

2012 Audi S8 - costs £78k Audi’s new V8 – shared with Bentley – arrives in the UK in the guise of the 2012 models of the S6, S7 & S8. Prices from £53,995 to £77,900. Audi, just as most other car makers are doing, is down-sizing its cylinder count and upping its reliance on forced induction as it seeks to cut emissions and improve fuel economy (well, official figures, anyway), which has meant the end of the 5.2 litre V10 in its ‘S’ models.