Crown Automotive 5183448aa Wire Harness on 2040-parts.com

Detroit Auto Show: Bentley Continental GTC Speed debuts

Bentley will complete its Speed portfolio when it introduces a freshened Continental GTC range at the Detroit auto show. Along with exterior and equipment changes, a new GTC Speed model is added with a more powerful version of the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 that churns out 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque for an improvement of 48 hp and 74 lb-ft over the regular GTC. The result is Bentley's most powerful convertible to date.

Ford eyes dandelions as sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber

Ford, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is turning to the humble garden weed as sustainable resource, researching the dandelion's potential use as an alternative to synthetic rubber. While the automaker already makes considerable use of sustainable materials in its vehicles – such as soy foam seat cushions and straw-filled plastic for interior trim – this latest discovery opens up a wealth of new possibilities for automotive applications. According to research conducted by Ford, a milky-white substance that is found in certain dandelion roots can produce a sustainable rubber that could be used to create plastic parts for vehicle interiors.

Safety fears over Beatles crossing

Tourists flocking to one of Britain's favourite musical landmarks to recreate the Beatles' Abbey Road crossing could see the addition of a "lollipop lady" to their holiday snaps. Westminster Council has raised safety fears over the "thousands and thousands" of people who visit the zebra crossing, in St John's Wood, north London, made famous by the band in 1969. In some cases, fans are putting themselves at risk of frustrated drivers who often struggle to make it over the crossing because of the constant stream of pedestrians attempting to recreate the image.