Last summer of speed?

If you want to enjoy driving on the unlimited-speed German autobahn, you might want to get in gear. If the opposition Social Democratic Party wins in this September's elections, party leader Sigmar Gabriel promises to form a coalition with the Green Party -- and both say they'll limit autobahn speeds to 120 kmh (about 75 mph), the German publication Bild is reporting. Not so fast, says the SDP's actual candidate for German chancellor, Peer Steinbrueck, who said he saw “no reason” to reignite the long-running debate over autobahn speeds, Bild reported.

Opel / Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Crossfour revealed

Insignia Sports Tourer Crossfour leaks out Opel / Vauxhall are planning a competitor to the Audi Allroad with a high-riding version of the Insignia Sports Tourer CrossFour. Audi have had the butched-up estate market pretty much all to itself for a long time with the Allroad, but hot on the heels of theVW Passat Alltrack we now look like we’re about to get a new competitor from GM in Europe – the Vauxhall / Opel Insignia Sports Tourer CrossFour. Opel has taken the normal recipe for the CrossFour, with plastic bits bolted on to the bumpers and wheel arches, a higher ride height and the obligatory four wheel drive, and mixed them in to the very capable Insignia Sports Tourer.

2009 BMW Z4 announced

BMW has officially released details of the next BMW Z4, due to be shown at Detroit and in UK showrooms in the spring. The new Z4 looks like a big improvement on the outgoing model. The old Z4 had Marmite looks – you loved it or hated it – but the new BMW Z4 has much more voluptuous lines.