Pioneer Frg-153b Clutch Flywheel Ring Gear on 2040-parts.com

Consumer Reports ranks the Kia Sorento third among small, midsize SUVs

The 2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 now ranks third in the Consumer Reports ratings for small and midsize SUVs. Having earned an “excellent” overall score of 82 in recent tests, the Sorento trails only the Subaru Forester 2.5XT and the Toyota RAV4 V6. The magazine notes that the Sorento has a very firm ride and that the six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly.

Mini Rocketman concept (2011): a guided tour

Anders Warming, Mini's new chief designer who took over from Gert Hildebrand in December 2010, spoke to CAR about the new Rocketman concept car at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Here's the Danish designer's guided tour to the Rocketman - and thoughts on Mini design in the future. CAR: Mini Rocketman: tell us about the front view Anders Warming: 'The front view of the car has to be instantly recognisable Mini, but it also has to have a face that really tells you that the brand is going to the future. That’s why we are emphasising the light rings around the headlamps: the icon of a Mini, but now with LEDs.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster arrives

Aston Martin Vantage N420 Roadster It was back in June that Aston Martin announced the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420, which is the 4.7 Vantage version of the N400, but this time – as the 4.7 Vantage is quite brisk without fiddling – the Vantage N420 has to make do with the regular model’s 420bhp. When we got the original detail on the Vantage N420 we only got photos of the N420 Coupe, even though Aston Martin made it clear that there would be a roadster too. And here it is in all its glorious Aston Martin Convertible carporn-ness.