Daihatsu Mira 2003 Front Left Strut Assy [3250200] on 2040-parts.com

NHTSA unveils new safety ratings; BMW and Hyundai first to get five stars

The 2011 BMW 5-series and the Hyundai Sonata were the first two cars to achieve five-star ratings under NHTSA's revised safety ratings announced on Tuesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will rate a total of 24 cars, 20 SUVs, nine pickups and two vans for the 2011 model year. The federal agency has significantly modified its rating process and will now grade side-pole testing and crash-prevention technologies such as lane-departure warning and electronic stability control.

Festival of Speed: onboard with David Coulthard up the Goodwood hill

If you’re able to arrive early enough on Thursday for Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show you might just be able to book yourself a slot to drive up the famous hillclimb course with one of the many manufacturers displaying their cars. Few mere mortals get the opportunity to drive up the hallowed tarmac at Goodwood – it’s more often reserved for F1 aces and motorsport heroes, such as a certain David Coulthard. In this video from Mercedes-Benz, DC takes us on a guided tour up the hillclimb, corner by corner behind the wheel of a suitably glam Merc SLS Black Series.

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible likely

It looks like Bentley are planning a convertible version of the Supersports Bentley introduced the Continental Supersports back at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. A stripped-out (it only has two seats), flex-fuel powerhouse of a Continental, it is the quickest car in Bentley’s stable. But the focus at Bentley – certainly for the viewing public – has been all about the new Mulsanne.