Luk 04-129 New Clutch Set on 2040-parts.com

Volvo V40 Cross Country & V40 R-Design: Paris 2012

Volvo has revealed the V40 Cross Country and V40 R-Design at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and both are convincing. The sporty take on the new V40 is the V40 R-design, a cosmetic update for the already good-looking V40 that manages to bolt on go-faster bits without wrecking the good lines of the normal V40. We would like to have seen the Volvo V40 R-Design get the sports suspension as standard, but Volvo obviously feel that most R-Design buyers want the looks rather than the more dynamic ride the sports suspension offers, so it stays as an option. And as the R-Design option is available across the new V40 range – from the D2 to the T4 – it’s probably the right decision.

Hyundai Curb Concept at Detroit

Hyundai Curb Concept - on show at Detroit Whatever your opinion about Hyundai - and Kia, for that matter – we’d bet that it’s changed in the last few years. From dismissing Hyundai as the Lada for our age, you’ve probably come to accept, as have we, that they are churning out cars that deserve a place in the market. Hyundai’s offerings may not be up your street – you may prefer something with a posher badge – but what’s on offer with Hyundai’s latest models does need to be considered alongside much of the best from Japan, if you’re looking to buy in that market.

Ford Figo – Cool for India

The Ford Figo - made in India For has spent a few bob – around £300 million – expanding its car making facilities in India at Chennai to make the plant capable of producing 200,000 cars a year which, as Alan Mullaly, Ford’s CEO said, does show how serious Ford are about the Indian market. The Figo – which is apparently colloquial Italian for ‘Cool’ – shares Ford’s small car platform, which means that under the skin it’s a Fiesta. It looks like a Ford too, with the usual ford ‘Kinetic’ design cues written all over it.