Mercruiser V8 Engine Coupler #90741 on 2040-parts.com

Smoking in cars containing children to be banned

SMOKING IN CARS in the presence of children is to be outlawed in England by the end of the year, Downing Street has signalled, after MPs voted overwhelmingly to make it a criminal offence. A No 10 source said Parliament had made its view clear and ministers are now looking at the practicalities of implementing the ban, with a view to getting it place before 2015. The Commons voted by 376 to 107 last night - a majority of 269 - to give the Health Secretary the power to impose a ban in England.

Bentley Continental GT Speed (2012) first pictures

For the would-be Bentley Continenal owner who can't bring themselves to stoop to the level of the entry-level V8 model, and feel the standard W12 car is too slow, Bentley has created a new Continental GT Speed. Designed to appeal to more driving-focused Bentley customers, there's a package of mechanical, cosmetic and interior changes to push the Conti into full-on supercar territory. So, is the Bentley Continental GT Speed faster than before?

Aston Martin Virage dropped – to be replaced by new DB9

Less than eighteen months since it debuted – and after just over 1,000 cars – Aston Martin is dropping the Virage. The Aston Martin Virage always seemed a bit of a stretch too far for Aston Martin, and so it has proved. After a lifespan of no more than eighteen months – and with just over 1000 cars built – Aston Martin has decided that there are just too few buyers who feel the Virage is enough of a step up from the DB9 to warrant the extra cost.