Chrysler Elbow on 2040-parts.com

Four big pickups get low marks in crash tests

Four 2009 full-sized pickups got low marks in side-impact crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group for auto insurers. Crash protection is "poor" in crew-cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Nissan Titan without side-impact airbags, according to test results the institute released on Wednesday. The Dodge Ram with standard side-impact airbags got only a "marginal" rating, the institute said.

Smart Fortwo Lightshine launches

Yet another Smart Limited Edition - the Smart Fortwo Lightshine You have to hand it to Mercedes – they don’t give up on Smart (or Maybach – another expensive departure). They keep churning out new cars (well, endless new limited editions, anyway) despite sales that seem to keep falling. Last year (2010) saw Smart sales in the UK fall by 8.5% and their sales last month (December 2010) were a woeful 57% down on December 2009.

Audi TT revs up for Geneva auto show

Audi has unwrapped its new TT at a media preview proceeding tomorrow’s Geneva motor show, revealing the new look, contemporary interior and updated mechanical package the German coupe carries into showrooms when North America sales get underway later this year. The third-generation TT has an all-new exterior design. The car is again a three-door liftback and has the same basic dimensions as its predecessor, but is subtly sleeker with more precise detailing and crisper lines.