Denso 234-4216 Oxygen Sensor on 2040-parts.com

2015 Vauxhall Astra means new UK jobs

Vauxhall has announced that it will take on 300 new staff at its Ellesmere Port plant, ready for production of the new Astra in 2015. It follows the plant’s successful bid to build the 2015 Astra, which secured investment of £125 million for the UK factory in 2012. 20 reasons why Britain’s car industry is booming Read a Vauxhall new car review Meanwhile, in 2011, Vauxhall’s Luton plant received a £185 million investment to build the new Vivaro van – and now the Bedfordshire base is planning to create a further 250 jobs.

Frankfurt auto show: Mercedes-Benz previews the electric B-class

Mercedes-Benz revealed an electric-powered B-class with range-extending capabilities at the Frankfurt motor show. This rounds out the company's line of standard gasoline- and diesel-engine versions in the second generation of the multipurpose fiver-seater. Set to go on sale in selected markets in 2013, the B-class E-cell Plus is propelled by a 136-hp electric motor that draws electricity from a lithium-ion battery mounted low within the car's MFA platform structure.

New 2014 Mercedes S-Class order book opens – price from £62,650

The New Mercedes S-Class (pictured) costs from £62,650 The all new Mercedes S-Class was officially revealed last month, and went in to production last week, and now the order book opens for Mercedes new technological tour de force in the UK. At launch you’ll have a choice of three engine options – diesel, hybrid and V8 petrol – and a choice of standard wheelbase or long wheelbase (which adds £3,000) with the cheapest model being the S 350 BlueTEC. The S350 BlueTEC SE gets the 3.0 litre Mercedes diesel V6 with 255bhp and 146g/km emissions and the promise of 51.4mpg, with the AMG Line models getting the same engine but costing from £67,685.