Wagner Bd125385 Rear Brake Drum on 2040-parts.com

Skoda MissionL

Skoda is the latest manufacturer to join the queue of those releasing teaser shots ahead of the 64th Frankfurt motor show next week. Following on from the somewhat understated VisionD shown in Geneva ealier this year, is the MissionL. Unlike the VisionD, the MissionL concept is said to be close to a final production-ready design that will be launched through Europe, Russia and China.

Washington auto show: Ford develops ‘intelligent cars'

There are plenty of smartphones, and now Ford is pitching the idea of “intelligent cars” that can communicate with each other to avoid accidents. Ford is investing heavily into the technology and will launch a fleet of prototypes this spring, the company said on Thursday at the Washington auto show. The idea is to use wireless signals on a secured channel to allow cars to communicate with each other.

Vauxhall Astra VXR (2012) gets 282bhp + new GTC photos

Astra GTC Concept Paris Vauxhall sneaked us a peek at the 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR a couple of weeks ago – slightly titivated and called the Astra GTC Concept admittedly – but the 2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR none the less. And we ran the story, even though there was precious little to say beyond they’d turned the ‘blades’ round on the doors to make it look more butch and that it’d turn up when the 3 door Astra does in a years time. But Vauxhall has decided to throw a little more out there, so we get images of the interior and some firm (ish) news on the oily bits.