Michelin Pilot Hx Mxm4 215/45r17 Tire on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-AMG GT shows off its interior in New York

We're getting our first official look at elements of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT sports car ahead of an expected September debut. The new two-seater, originally rumored to be called the Mercedes-Benz SLC, indirectly replaces the SLS AMG, becoming the second stand-alone model to be conceived, engineered and produced by Mercedes' AMG performance car offshoot at its headquarters in Affalterbach on the outskirts of Stuttgart, Germany. Mercedes has controversially eschewed any traditional reference to one of its founders, Karl Benz, in the name of its new 500-hp-plus twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8-powered machine.

James Bond still drives an Aston Martin. But now he drinks Heineken too.

The Aston Martin DB5 returns in Skyfall (image ©Eon) - but Heineken replaces a Martini James Bond may drive an Aston Martin, but he’s going a bit more downmarket in Skyfall after a £25 million deal to place Heineken. Product placement is a great way for brands to raise their profile by association with a successful film, TV show or celeb. And much of what now gets placed on screen to push our buttons can probably be blamed on the James Bond franchise.

Car sales plunge, Bank of England cuts rates

New car sales plunge in October: Renault sales were down by more than half By Nigel Wonnacott Motor Industry 06 November 2008 12:30 Following the sixth monthly decline in new car sales this year (down 23% this month), economists have revised market forecasts downwards, while the Bank of England has cut interest rates by 1.5%. October’s 23% drop was the worst so far and trade body SMMT now fears sales could end the year at just 2.15 million cars. That’s 8% lower than the 2.34 million predicted to leave showrooms back in January and would be the worst market performance in more than a decade.