Walker Exhaust 55172 Exhaust Pipe-exhaust Tail Pipe on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin showrooms go Hi-Tec

I’m not too sure it will help much with sales at the moment, but it has been announced that Aston Martin are to become the first company to use Microsoft’s Surface Device in UK Car showrooms. The Surface device is in essence a glitzy coffee table, with a built in PC running the new software from Microsoft. Based on the software Aston Martin currently uses on its website, the device allows the salesman to configure the car on a coffee table screen, with changes of colour and wheels showing on the screen.

Jaguar adds AWD, new four- and six-cylinder engines to 2013 lineup

Jaguar is offering the option of all-wheel drive on the XF and XJ sedans for 2013 models, and adds supercharged four- and six-cylinder engines to the XF. Also, all automatic XF and XJ sedans will use a new eight-speed transmission from German supplier ZF, as Jaguar looks to boost the fuel economy of its vehicles. Powertrains get the most significant changes for Jaguar in the 2013 model year.

Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.