Prestolite 108005 Pro Connect Wires on 2040-parts.com

Weird car show celebrates humdrum 'classics'

CAN THE ordinary ultimately become cool? There was one group of left-field car enthusiasts at the weekend whose answer is an emphatic ‘yes’. Close to the Silverstone Classic event, where thousands of rare and desirable cars strutted their stuff for the big crowds, another event was being hosted to celebrate some of the most ordinary cars ever made.

SEAT Altea XL

Two years after the Seat Altea hatchback was launched comes the extended XL version, which effectively becomes a mini-MPV thanks to a 187mm increase in length. This of course benefits the interior most, the trunk growing from 409 liters to 635 with the rear bench pushed forward - though is conspicuously without the extra row of seats offered by rivals. Outside, changes are most noticeable at the rear where the styling theme has been softened to reflect the car's renewed family-focus.

New technology combats drowsy driving

Auto supplier Takata is introducing a new driver-alertness warning system to the commercial trucking industry to keep drivers awake. The SafeTrak electronic vision system sounds an alert if a trucker is driving erratically or unintentionally drifting from a lane. A recent AAA study for traffic safety found that drowsy driving is a contributing factor in 16.5 percent of fatal car crashes in the United States.