Vintage Nos A-16-81 Red & Green Clearance Marker Boat Light on 2040-parts.com

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.

New VW Golf GTD to cost just £199 a month. Sort of.

The VW Golf GTD (pictured) can be had for £199 a month – if you’ve got a big deposit There’s no question that car buyers are getting themselves in to new cars at affordable money thanks to the range of finance packages on offer now, including leases, PCP and contract hire. That’s good for car makers, dealers and the car buying public as it leads to more sales and more people driving modern, reliable and efficient cars. But the headline price is not always as clear cut as it seems.

Pirelli World Challenge star Andy Pilgrim makes teens, parents better drivers

Here's another addend in the complex driver-training equation: Many parents influence their kids to become both a greater danger when driving and more susceptible to the actions of other poor drivers. This influence begins long before kids are licensed to drive. Consider: -- “More than 75 percent of new drivers exhibit the same distracted driving behavior as their parents.” -- “Most parents are unaware they are teaching their kids things that will make them more dangerous to others and more vulnerable to others.” -- “Most parents want to protect their children and will make changes once they understand the realities of behavior transfer.” These are the words of Andy Pilgrim, the same championship-winning sports-car driver who helped road-test editor Jonathan Wong thrash Porsche's 911 GT3 and Chevrolet's Camaro Z/28.