2010 Mercedes C-class C300 W204 Front Right Pass Side Safety Seat Belt Beige on 2040-parts.com

Consumer Reports slams new Honda Civic

Honda Motor Co., still struggling with supply shortages of the redesigned 2012 Civic after the March earthquake in Japan, took a slap in the face today when Consumer Reports rated the new Civic "too low to be recommended." The 2012 Honda Civic dropped 17 points, from a very-good score of 78 to a mediocre 61, in the latest Consumer Reports road test of small cars. Previous Honda Civic models have often been Consumer Reports' highest rated small sedans, as well as Top Picks in five of the past 10 years. But the redesigned model was slammed for the cheapness of its interior, poor ride quality, long stopping distances and loud interior noise.

Ecclestone wants to bring the noise

FORMULA ONE supremo Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to address growing concerns surrounding the sport's lack of an appealing noise. Following Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Ron Walker, chairman of the organising company that stages the race, complained to close friend Ecclestone about the lack of sound. The piercing scream of the old V8 engine has gone, and in its place we now have a huskier tone, complete with whistles and whirrs from the 1.6-litre V6 turbo as F1 tries to become greener.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed (2013) first pictures

According to Bentley, the new Continental GTC Speed is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world. The 202mph cabriolet uses the 616bhp powertrain from its Continenal GT Speed Coupe sibling, and we'll see it unveiled at the 2013 Detroit motor show. Just how fast is the new 2013 Bentley GTC Speed?