New Dii Valance - Front, Fiberglass, D-3612 on 2040-parts.com

Parade celebrates astronauts and Corvettes

After Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into outer space in 1961, General Motors executive Ed Cole presented the astronaut with a new 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, customized with a space-age interior. Shepard had brought along his own 1957 Corvette when he reported for the space-training program in 1959. Thanks to a special lease arrangement between the space men and a Melbourne, Fla., Chevy dealership, six of the Mercury Seven astronauts were Corvette owners.

New Honda CR-V: First new CR-V photos appear on Honda’s Japan site

Firts photo of the 2012 Honda CR-V We first got a proper look at the new Honda CR-V (the 2012 model) in concept form back in  July, and at the time Honda told us that they were planning a US release by the end of 2011, but no European release until Autumn of 2012. So the seemingly unheralded reveal of the new CR-V on Honda’s website in Japan is a bit of a surprise. The photo has suddenly appeared in a gallery of teaser photos of the new CR-V on Honda’s website and as far as we can see Honda has done nothing to trail it.

Seat Leon ST (2014) at Frankfurt motor show

The new Seat Leon ST is the first time the Spanish marque has offered the Leon as a wagon, which will be the third body style alongside the three-door Leon SC and five-door hatch versions. Based on the impressive new VW Golf Estate the Leon ST will be cheaper than the Golf wagon when it arrives in UK showrooms in January 2014. Is it just a Golf Estate with a different look?