Powerglide 2 Piece Shift Lever on 2040-parts.com

Mini unveils next-generation hardtop

The wraps are off the all-new, third-generation Mini hardtop. Updates include renewed exterior styling, lots of gee-whiz electronics inside, and a new fuel-efficient, three-cylinder turbo engine under the hood as the base engine. “On the inside is where you see the revolutionary aspect,” said Jim McDowell, vice president, Mini of the Americas.

2013 Mercedes SL gets AMG Sport models

It’s not much more than a year since the new Mercedes SL arrived, but that’s not stopping Mercedes UK giving the range a bit of a makeover for 2013 / 2014. Both the SL 350 and SL 500 get a bit of an AMG makeover with the arrival of the AMG Sports Package for the SL range. That means a set of 19″ AMG alloys, lowered sports suspension, AMG body kit with new front and rear aprons and side sills, better brakes on the SL 350 and a boot lip.

Lajdziak replaces Schembri as the president of Smart USA

Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's former top executive, was named president of Smart USA just three days after starting with the company. David Schembri, who previously held the job, will take an unidentified position with the Penske Automotive Group, which distributes the Smart ForTwo microcar in the United States, the company said. "Dave will transition into retail operations at Penske Automotive Group with our dealerships," said Penske spokesman Anthony Pordon.