New Drive Plate (mercruiser/mercury) on 2040-parts.com

China’s Hong Qi State Limo twice the price of RR Ghost

FAW's Hong Qi Limo - a snip at £720k It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but this week China has seen the reveal of two cars that would stretch even the finances of a Western plutocrat. The Hong Qi State Limo is a behemoth of a car designed to ferry China’s elite in safety and comfort. It was used in China’s recent 2009 ‘Review of the Troops’ to chauffeur Chairman Hu.

VW Passat Bluemotion 2 (2008) unveiled

By Ben Whitworth First Official Pictures 03 November 2008 10:50 Volkswagen has opened up its order books on its new Passat Bluemotion 2, it’s cleanest and greenest Passat yet. Replacing the current Bluemotion model, the Mk2 Bluemotion is powered by a 110bhp 2.0-litre common rail diesel that’s been recalibrated with a lower idle rate and fitted with a switchable start/stop system to cut emissions and boost economy. When it arrives here in January, the Passat will post a combined economy figure of 57.6mpg and a CO2 rating of 128 g/km - useful savings compared to the outgoing 1.9-litre 105bhp BlueMotion model (55.4mpg and 136 g/km).

LA Motor Show: Subaru WRX gets downsized engine

SUBARU has revealed a production-ready version of the WRX concept first seen earlier this year. The latest edition of the performance saloon may not be coming to the UK at all, but Subaru has finally given the 268bhp machine the go-ahead for Japan and North America. A new 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ engine carries on the brand’s tradition, bringing with it the same low centre of gravity as the old 2.5-litre unit but with greater environmental credentials.