'Crash for cash' scams soar by 51%

THE NUMBER of "crash for cash" car insurance scams uncovered by a major insurer surged by 51% annually last year. Aviva said it had detected around 820 staged accidents in 2013, leading to some 2,200 fraudulent personal injury claims. It is pressing for tougher penalties and said that often, rather than being locked up, fraudsters end up being sentenced to community orders, which "do little" to deter them from re-offending.

Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde gets a tweak and a tickle

2011 Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde - cosmetic tweaks & new toys The Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde already sits at the top of the very appealing MiTo range, but that hasn’t stopped Alfa spreading more Alfa goodness across its bows for the new 2011 model year cars. Don’t get too excited that the tickles include power upgrades – they don’t. But when the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde already boasts one of the best Alfa engines for a long time – the 1.4-litre TB Multiair – that’s not too much of a disappointment.

Porsche to share platforms

The sharing of Porsche platforms could see the Benley Conti and Panamera using the same underpinnings. Porsche boss Michael Macht has revealed that now Porsche are effectively a VW company the sharing of platforms is not just viable but essential. And the man has a point.