New Vauxhall Astra – the Race

The new Vauxhall Astra will be launched in September at Frankfurt This sixth generation of the Astra is a good looking car, and has taken a lot of its design cues from the very good Vauxhall Insignia. And it has in its sites the Ford Focus, the VW Golf and the new Mazda 3. So what better way to show its prowess than to produce a ‘viral’ video – without giving away too much detail – showing the new Astra mullering the Focus and the Golf on the track at Millbrook?

80mph limit plans 'to be revisited'

SHELVED PLANS to raise the motorway speed limit to 80mph will need to be revisited, a transport minister said as he declined to say whether he ever broke the current law to drive at that speed. Stephen Hammond said ministers were split on the move - which was unveiled with a fanfare by Philip Hammond in 2011 but then axed from the agenda by successors as transport secretary. Polling suggests a 10mph increase in the maximum allowed on the network would be extremely popular among motorists - and the transport minister recognised "a lot" already drove at the higher speed.

Automotive Interiors Expo 2010

The first Automotive Interiors Expo, an event that was part of no less than five automotive trade exhibitions gathered together at the Stuttgart Messe, took place in southern Germany from the 22 to 24 of June. The exhibitions, comprising European Automotive Components Expo, Automotive Testing Expo, Vehicle Dynamics Expo and Engine Expo, showcased the latest technologies and services from over 500 suppliers to the automotive industry. Grouped in three large halls, the Expo covered conventional powertrains and batteries right through to vehicle electrical systems and crash testing, but it also featured a panel of experts discussing the color, feel and shape of material design, synergies and design challenges; safety, lighting and HMI's; and interior component design as a means of achieving sustainable and lightweight vehicles.