Rinker 218268 Magenta / Metallic Gold 156 X 10 3/4 Inch Boat Decal (single) on 2040-parts.com

BMW's new X3 overcomes Germany's cupholder disconnect

BMW of North America was eager to improve several parts of the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle for the new generation that goes on sale in January. Not least of those improvements were the cupholders. Old X3: Bad cupholders.

Pick-ups do poorly in latest Euro NCAP tests

By Mark Nichol Motor Industry 26 February 2008 11:54 Euro NCAP released its latest crash test results today, and it’s bad news for pick-up drivers. Only three picks-ups were tested, but they achieved some appalling results, with the Nissan Navara registering just one star for adult crash protection. Pick-up registrations increased by 7.2 percent in Europe last year and are increasingly being used as family transport.

Lexus GS 300h: Shanghai Motor Show

Offering much better economy than the GS 450h, it offers not only a viable alternative for private buyers looking for a bit of beautifully built Japanese luxury with lower running costs, but also makes the GS a much more appealing option for company car drivers – probably where most of the sales will be made. Lexus are aiming for Co2 emissions below 110g/km for the GS 300h (the IS 300h manages 99g/km) which will give headline economy around 60mpg – a third better than the GS 450h can manage. Power comes from the same hybrid drivetrain as the IS 300h, which means a 2.5 litre petrol mated to an electric motor and delivering 215bhp and o-62mph in around 8.5 seconds.