Buick Grand National Gnx "top Ten Reasons To Own A Turbo Regal" T-shirt (l) on 2040-parts.com

Phones topple tailgating as most hated driving habit

THERE’S a new ‘hate’ at the top of drivers’ lists, after a study from Kwik Fit showed that using a phone at the wheel has overtaken the long-standing bad habit of tailgating. Talking or texting while driving is hated by 47% of drivers, according to the research; comfortably ahead of tailgating on 42%. It’s the first time that following too closely has been knocked off its seriously irritating perch in years.

Smart Fourjoy concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Nauseating name aside, the Smart Fourjoy concept isn’t just a spot of fun from Daimler’s city car arm: it’s actually a preview of the new Smart Forfour supermini, which will go on sale in 2014. This latest concept car follows on from the ForUs and Forstars concepts first show in 2012. Why doesn’t the Smart Fourjoy (cringe) have any doors?

Ford to triple production of EcoBoost engines by 2015

Ford EcoBoost Engine production to increase In another clear sign of engine downsizing by car makers Ford has announced it will triple production of its EcoBoost engines in Europe by 2015. The petrol engine is fighting back against hybrids and diesels with downsizing and forced induction creating petrol engines that work more pleasingly than  diesels – and with lower particulate emissions – whilst delivering proper performance and levels of economy that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Ford is in the vanguard of this mainstream push to make petrol engines relevant even in a car world dictated by government CO2 targets (which aren’t really CO2 targets , they’re official economy targets) and they’re planning to triple production of their very good range of EcoBoost engines in Europe over the next three years.