2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel 2.8 Liter Balance Shaft Assembly on 2040-parts.com

Shortened LX rear-drive platform--Chrysler's midsize car answer?

Chrysler's new management team is wrestling with its first major product decision, and it's a crucial one: how to replace the slow-selling Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger. One option--a stretched version of Fiat's compact D-Evo platform--faces serious hurdles, and one early proposal--use of an Opel platform--is off the table. Now sources say Chrysler Group LLC could replace its much-maligned mid-sized cars with a model based on the Chrysler 200C EV, a concept shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Smog could get worse as more people buy diesels

Britain could see an increase in smog as the popularity of diesel cars increases, warns a leading pollution expert from King’s College London. The smog-like conditions that have descended on the UK over the past week have been caused by dust blown across from the Sahara Desert mixing with harmful pollution in urban areas. This pollution comes from industry, as well as both petrol and diesel cars.

Toyota Camatte 57s concept

You may remember last year we reported the unveiling of a customizable, modular little concept car called the Toyota Camatte at the Tokyo Toy Show. This year Toyota has returned with an updated version called the Camatte 57s with more scope for families to personalize their space-framed little machines with a total of 57 external panels (as its name suggests) as well as the removal of the roof which apparently "adds to the fun factor and allows everyone on board to enjoy the colorful exterior they have created". Like last year's car the driving position can accommodate both adults and children with gown-ups sat in the right rear seat able to intervene should the infant pilots go astray.