Vhf 580 West Marine Model #629z04003147 on 2040-parts.com

Qoros GQ3: Chinese rival for the Ford Focus revealed

The first of a new range of cars from the Chinese Qoros brand – the Qoros GQ3 – has been revealed ahead of a debut at Geneva 2013. Three months ahead of that reveal Qoros has jumped in with a reveal of their first offering and some details about what it has on offer. Unsurprisingly, the reality is somewhat less exciting to look at than the dynamic-looking teaser image we saw last month. Planned to go on sale in both China and Europe during 2013 the Qoros GQ3 is aimed at young buyers, although why any car company would build a C-Segment saloon and expect young buyers to lap it up in Europe is beyond us.

Volvo C30 & C70 – UK Prices & Specs announced

Price and model details for the 2010 Volvo C30 and C70 have been released. C30 prices in the UK start at £14,495 with four trim levels on offer – S, SE, SE Lux and R-DESIGN – and six engine options,  from the C30 eDrive that emits just 99g/km up to the turbo T5 with 225bhp. Standard kit on the S includes Climate Control, CD with AUX input, DSTC and 16″ alloys.

Insurance group lists its Top Safety Picks

After increasing its standards for 2011 models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that 66 vehicles--more than double the 2010 total--rate as best in the industry at protecting passengers from front, side, rollover and rear crashes. Only 27 vehicles qualified last year after the group, funded by the insurance industry, required that vehicles pass a roof-strength test to earn a good rating, claiming that stronger roofs would reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by 50 percent in a rollover accident. The most mentioned carmakers on the 2011 list are Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi, both with nine vehicles to get the Top Safety Pick designation.