Falcon Steering Systems Fes3539 Tie Rod-steering Tie Rod End on 2040-parts.com

Nissan and Fiat marketing heads trade insults over 'visual pollution'

A war of words has erupted between Fiat and Nissan's marketing departments over their electric vehicle designs, the Leaf and the 500e. Matt Davis, head of Fiat product marketing, told Bloomberg News before the launch of its all-electric 500e at the Los Angeles show last week that "ugliness is probably one of the worst forms of pollution," seen as an indirect attack on Nissan's electric offering. The then 500e came under attack with Nissan criticizing the fact that it was created only to meet Californian emissions requirements.

Tesla Model S first EV to earn high praise from Consumer Reports

Tesla Motors Inc.'s all-electric Model S sports car received the highest score in Consumer Reports' ratings -- a 99 out of 100 -- along with widespread plaudits from the magazine's automotive testing staff. The magazine said the $89,650 EV it tested "performed better, or just as well overall, as any other vehicle -- of any kind -- ever tested by Consumer Reports." The last vehicle to achieve a score of 99 in the magazine's testing was the Lexus LS 460L, which was tested in 2007. The Model S, which went on sale in 2012, also marks the first time any electric vehicle has earned a score that high, the magazine said Thursday.

2013 Honda CR-Z Facelift: Price from £20,550

The price for the facelifted 2013 Honda CR-Z has been announced. The CR-Z Sport will start from £20,550 and the CR-Z GT will cost £23,050. So Honda revealed back in September that they’re giving the CR-Z a bit of a facelift for 2013, the main focus is on the running gear where Honda has upped the output of the 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine and attached electric motor to deliver 135bhp and changed the battery pack to a Lithium Ion one instead of the old  Nickel-metal hybrid.