A4 Audi 2003 Trim Panel, Misc 28551 on 2040-parts.com

Pace cadets: At AMG academy, students take their finals with their right feet

Mercedes-Benz USA launched the AMG Challenge in 2002, a program touted as "a chance to experience the thrill of driving the newest Mercedes AMGs on some of America's best racetracks." This year, MBUSA abandoned the Challenge in favor of the AMG Driving Academy, a multistage driver-development program pioneered by AMG in Europe. The difference? According to Greg Clark, AMG manager, "the Challenge was more about the cars, while the Academy is more about the driver." Having participated in both the Challenge and now the Academy, we'd say that difference is subtle, at least as it applies to the one-day program.

Tesla Model S charging system may have started garage blaze

A fire department in Southern California said a garage fire may have been caused by an overheated charging system in a Tesla Model S sedan, in the latest link between the top selling electric car and the potential for fire. While Tesla Motors Inc. contends the fire was not related to the car or its charging system, the Orange County Fire Authority said the Tesla-supplied charging system or the connection at the electricity panel on the wall of the garage of a single-family home could have caused the fire.

All-new Ford F-150 revealed at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

Ford has revealed an all-new version of the States' bestselling vehicle, the F-150 pick-up – and in a world first, the US favourite boasts an all-aluminium body and lightweight, high-strength steel frame. The new Ford F-150 is more than 300kg lighter than the model it replaces and, thanks to four engine choices including an all-new downsized 2.7-litre EcoBoost turbo, is much more fuel efficient too. Given that Ford sold a staggering 763,402 F-150s in 2013 alone, these changes will have a very positive effect in terms of the new model's environmental impact.