Original 1985 Ford Bronco Owner's Manual on 2040-parts.com

British cars dominate desirability survey

BRITISH cars are the best of the best, according to a huge new car popularity survey that has thrown up some shocks. British cars took five of the top six places in the study from Best of the Best, the in-airport and online competition operator that gives away cars as prizes. And among the amazing turn-ups that emerged from the 55,000-person study focusing on desirability, no Ferrari even made the top 20.

70% of premium brand cars stolen are taken with the car’s own keys

High-end SUVs – like the new Range Rover (pictured) are a prime target for car key thieves There was once a time when all it took to steal a car was a wire coathanger and the ability to hotwire the ignition. But as car makers have got better at securing the second most expensive asset most of us will ever own, car thieves have had to look for a different approach, and that approach is increasingly to relieve owners of the keys to their pride and joy. Cobra – the vehicle tracking firm – are reporting that a massive 70 per cent of all premium brand cars stolen in 2014 – with an average value of £40k, up £6k on 2012 – are being parted from their owners using that owners keys.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe: Price from £97,490 (+ video)

The new BMW M6 Gran Coupe - officially revealed this week – will cost from £97,490 when it goes on sale in May 2013. The M6 Gran Coupe gets the same, very convincing, looks of the regular Gran Coupes, but with added visual butchness thanks to a front spoiler, flared wheelarches, side skirts, rear diffuser and a carbon fibre roof. That promised aggression is reinforced by the M6 Gran Coupe’s powerplant that comes from the M6 and M5 with a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 delivering 553bhp and 50lb/ft of torque – available from 1,500 to 5,750rpm – which is enough to get the M6 Gran Coupe to 62mph in 4.2 seconds.