Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Opel/Vauxhall teases Cascada mid-size convertible

Opel/Vauxhall has given us a sneak peek of its new mid-size convertible, the Cascanda, which effectively replaces the Astra Twin Top. The Cascanda features a full-size fabric roof that can be opened or closed with one button up to speeds of 30mph and is the latest model to shun a folding hardtop in favor of the lighter and more practical soft option. The company claims this is its first D-segment cabrio for more than 70 years but, unlike them, we haven't forgotten the Cavialier Convertible of the 1980s (see pic).

Driven: BMW 5 Series GT

It's an illustration of the place London has become that it's typically possible to park brand new or exotic cars on an average street and be met with studied indifference by the average passer by. So why, during a week of driving a BMW 5 Series GT, were we made to feel so conspicuous? Every time we parked in a busy area, at least one stranger felt the need to remark, usually to tell us how ugly they thought it was.

New Mercedes A Class #YOUDRIVE advert plugs in to X Factor

Mercedes are continuing some innovative marketing for the new A Class with the #YOUDRIVE campaign launching during X Factor. That must have worked to a degree – certainly as far as the Twitter aspect goes – as Mercedes is having another outing with another hashtag – #YouDrive – and a new marketing campaign for the A Class where viewers ’control’ the advert they’re seeing. Mercedes is kicking off the #YouDrive campaign during X Factor next Saturday (5th October) with a three part story featuring the tale of a young music star trying to get to a secret gig the authorities want to close down (Germans advocating the defying of authority?