Gates 365530 Steering Pressure Hose-pressure Line Assembly on 2040-parts.com

New Nissan Micra costs from £9,950

New Nissan Micra Facelift (pictured) costs from £9,950 Although we saw the new facelift for the Nissan Micra in the guise of the overseas Nissan March in back in March, it took Nissan until this month to reveal the new Micra for the UK, and now we’ve got specifications and prices confirmed. Starting at £9,950 for the Micra Visia, all new Micra models come with a new front and back, upgraded interior with a new centre console, better materials and more equipment. The entry-level Visia gets Bluetooth, electric front windows, remote central locking and USB, with the mid-spec Acenta (from £11,550) adding alloys, leather steering wheel, Climate and Cruise.

Audi Q5 due next year: Autoweek Magazine

Audi will offer a hybrid version of its Q5 premium SUV in the US starting in late 2010, says Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the Volkswagen group. If the car is a success in the US, Audi said it may launch it in Europe. In an interview at the auto show here last month, Hatz said Audi must offer a hybrid model to compete with rival vehicles that already offer the technology, such as the Lexus RX 400h.

Tyre warning for drivers heading into Europe

BRITISH DRIVERS could face on the spot fines for using the wrong tyres when travelling in Europe this winter. Severe winter weather in many European countries means the normal summer tyres fitted to most UK cars will not offer enough grip for safe driving or braking in icy or snowy conditions. In Germany and some ski resorts, drivers are liable to on-the-spot fines if their car is not equipped with winter tyres or their car becomes stuck in slippery conditions due to the wrong tyres being fitted.