Nissan X-trail 2001 Combination Switch [6161500] on 2040-parts.com

Hot Octavia now with diesel power

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 18 August 2006 09:01 A grunty, 170bhp diesel engine will join Skoda's high performance vRS range in September. The engine will be available in the Octavia hatch and estate, priced at £18,370 and £19,200 respectively. The 2.0-litre TDI kicks out 258lb ft, more twist action than a BMW 330i.

Ford B-MAX off to a strong start in UK

The new Ford B-Max compact people carrier is off to a strong sales start in the UK, with 1,000 already delivered to customers. And that eye-catching advert (we’ve posted it below – Ford in Europe need all the help they can get to garner sales!) will no doubt raise awareness of the long-awaited replacement for the old Fiesta-based Fusion MPV and help make the B-Max a success for Ford in a segment they once dominated, but which they’d left to wither on the vine. But eye-catching  advert for the new B-Max or not, the B-Max is already selling well with over 1,000 cars delivered to customers in the last few weeks and orders for 2500 cars received by Ford in the UK before the B-Max even appeared in showrooms.

Fiat Centro Stile shares Panda Design sketches

After debuting at the Frankfurt motor show, and impressing us in the process, Fiat has released a series of fun illustrations documenting the new Panda's design process. Produced by the Centro Stile Fiat, the illustrations aim to highlight and describe the new stylistic features and functions of the city car. The new Panda is said to be inspired by 'the most modern trends' and is also based on the idea that every user has their own needs.