Ford 302 Water/neck Chrome on 2040-parts.com

Mandelson to announce help for car makers

Lord Mandelson is the man charged with finding ways to fund UK Car purchases (yes, he of the dodgy mortgage debacle – at least he should know a few tricks!) as the credit crunch has dried up funding, leading to an unprecedented drop in new car sales in the UK. Mandelson is due to make a statement in the Lords just after 3pm today, outlining the help the government is going to offer to ailing car makers. Central to this package is expected to be a funding channel directly from the Bank of England to inject liquidity in to the car financing sector.

Opel takes Adam racing (2012) first official pictures

Vauxhall/Opel has built its new Adam city car around the idea of chic street-cred, but it's now given the Mini Cooper rival a healthy dose of motorsport pedigree as well. An international rally series is being readied for the Adam, where competitors will use a race-prepped version of the city car. A well-specced Adam...with a difference The regular Adam is pitched as a blank canvas for buyers to individualise, with 22 different alloy wheel options, 12 dashboard colour choices, and the option of a Rolls-Royce style fairy-lit roof lining.

Chrysler/Lancia Ypsilon

To celebrate 25 years of the Lancia Ypsilon, the Fiat is set to launch an all new variant at the 81st Geneva motor show. Based on a stretched Fiat 500 platform, the Ypsilon boasts an extra 300mm between its front and rear wheels, improving rear legroom and allowing for the additional rear doors. Overall, the Ypsilon's exterior has grown by around 60mm in length, but the cars height has dropped by around 20mm.