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2014 Subaru XV – less choice, more refinement

The 2014 Subaru XV (pictured) gets a bit of a tweak The Subaru XV arrived in the UK in 2012, and it’s a perfectly able and reasonably-priced compact crossover from Subaru. But within a year of launching the XV Subaru decided to inject a bit more appeal in to the XV with a price cut of £2,300 across the range and now, not more than six months later, they’re fiddling with the XV range again. The 2.0 litre petrol XV gets new valve-train components to cut engine noise and revised suspension, with extra soundproofing improving NVH levels across the range, a revised power steering system for added stability and feel  and thicker and reshaped suspension lower arm and extra reinforcement around the base of the A-Pillar for better crash performance.

Mercedes A-class (2012) prices and specs

Mercedes has announced its new A-class hatch will start from £18,945 for the entry-level petrol A180 in the UK, rising all the way to £28,775 for the A250 in 'Engineered by AMG' trim. Which engines power the new Mercedes A-class? The base A180 gets a 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder with 120bhp.

GM considers CVTs for small cars

General Motors Co., aiming to give its small cars a sales edge, may introduce continuously variable transmissions to deliver better fuel economy, executives say. GM doesn't use CVTs now. But they could be used on models such as the Chevrolet Spark, Aveo and Cruze in the next three years, said Mike Arcamone, CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.