Brake Drum-r-line Raybestos 2045r on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin and Mercedes 'to strike €300m deal'

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 22 October 2008 21:25 CAR Online today lifts the lid on the secret deal – codenamed Romeo and Juliet – being hammered out between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz. We have sensational details of the alliance, including a plan for hybrid Aston Martins, the full range of proposed Lagonda models and even a possible DB10 and 4x4 from the Aston Martin Lagonda stable. Back in August 2008, we revealed how the British sports car maker was in talks with the German giant over future cooperation (read our original Aston-Merc scoop here).

Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept points to a Nissan Juke competitor

Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept (pictured) heading for Geneva Volkswagen are aiming to expand their lineup of SUVs from the current Tiguan and Touareg to include more options in size and ability to tap in to the growing compact SUV market, and having already previewed the Up!-based Taigun we now get a new VW compact SUV concept aiming to fit in between the Taigun and Tiguan – the Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept. Heading for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week – and revealed today in a series of design sketches (above) – the T-Roc is a two-door, four-wheel-drive compact SUV with a two-pieced Targa roof. In terms of styling, the T-Toc gets VW’s idea of and evolution of its, rather bland, SUV styling with a new grill providing a more original front end (which has echoes of the Nissan Juke but can be referenced by the Karmann Ghia), a coupe look and that removable Targa roof.

Mopar Muscle Ram takes off at Monster Jam

Chrysler Group service and parts brand Mopar is entering the Monster Truck Racing Series with a new toy, the Mopar Muscle Ram monster truck. The series starts with Monster Jam on Jan. 11 in Detroit.