Bmw M Thermos Mug 80232410918 80 23 2 410 918 on 2040-parts.com

CAR scoop: BMW and Toyota's joint sports car plot

BMW is buddying up with Toyota on an all-new sports car platform, set to underpin the replacements for the Z4, 6-series and GT86. The unlikely collaboration stems from an alliance that began in 2011, where BMW and Toyota agreed to co-develop next-generation lithium ion batteries, and for Toyota to use BMW’s fourpot diesels in its European cars. An engineering team is beavering away on the project, with the clock ticking: the suits want to outline the car’s specification before the end of 2013. What does BMW get out of the bargain?

Honda recalls 1.5 million Accord, CR-V and Element models for transmission fix

Honda is recalling 1.5 million cars and crossovers to reprogram the transmission control software to prevent damage if the automatic transmission is used to rock the vehicle out from being stuck in mud or snow. The recall covers the Accord and the CR-V and Element crossovers from the 2005 through 2010 model years. The vehicles being recalled have four-cylinder engines.

New NHTSA guidelines recommend vehicle systems disable text entry, videos while driving

Federal regulators, moving to curb distracted driving, issued final voluntary safety guidelines today that would disable certain in-vehicle functions such as manual texting, Web browsing and video phoning while driving. Automakers should do more to keep drivers' eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, U.S. auto regulators said as they released the latest guidelines meant to cut down on crashes caused by the use of electronic devices in cars.