Bell 47, 47-267-151-1 Weight. 2 Ea. on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Dodge red lights in your autonomous Audi: More tech from CES

Audi wowed the crowd at CES with a new advancement in, of all things, headlights when it announced it would show a version of its Sport quattro laserlight Concept with laser beam headlights. Frickin' laser beams, as Dr. Evil once demanded on sharks (the good doctor ultimately had to settle for sea bass instead of sharks, but they still had laser beams).

Festival of Speed: onboard with David Coulthard up the Goodwood hill

If you’re able to arrive early enough on Thursday for Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show you might just be able to book yourself a slot to drive up the famous hillclimb course with one of the many manufacturers displaying their cars. Few mere mortals get the opportunity to drive up the hallowed tarmac at Goodwood – it’s more often reserved for F1 aces and motorsport heroes, such as a certain David Coulthard. In this video from Mercedes-Benz, DC takes us on a guided tour up the hillclimb, corner by corner behind the wheel of a suitably glam Merc SLS Black Series.