Dorman H36804 Brake Hose, Rear on 2040-parts.com

Ford Kuga – moving to the USA

Ford are intending moving production of the Kuga from Germany to the US. So the reports we’re hearing that Ford are about to up sticks with Kuga production from Saarlouis to Louisville make sense on a number of levels. The Kuga could make a very viable replacement for the Ford Escape (which in its last iteration was sold in Europe as the Maverick).

Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

Nissan at the LA Auto Show: Sentra Nismo Concept, Juke RS

Nissan is all about Nismo, that sweet, sweet, NIssan MOtorsports NISMO. Case in point: the GTR Nismo that was at Tokyo. But on a smaller scale, the Nissan Juke Nismo gets some more letters, and it's the return of the fun-to-drive Sentra.