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.

Kia 4-Door Concept heading to Frankfurt 2011

Kia 4-Door Concept heading for Frankfurt 2011 It really is remarkable, the pace of change at Kia. Once the butt of as many jokes as Skoda at the height of their ‘Skip-on-Wheels’ era, Kia is now a real force. And a real force going very much upmarket, if the Kia 4-Door Concept heading for Frankfurt 2011 is anything to go by.

V6 dropped for redesigned Mazda 6 sedan

Mazda will drop the V6 engine from the Mazda 6 lineup, the company told Automotive News. Instead, the redesigned Mazda 6 will use powertrains from Mazda's Skyactiv technology bin, including direct-injection four-cylinder engines and ultra-efficient transmissions. “We believe that the balance of fuel economy and power that Skyactiv offers is what customers want,” a Mazda spokesman said.