Westin 21-23845 Protraxx 4 In. Oval Step Bar Cab Length on 2040-parts.com

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA Super Bowl spot

It takes a certain kind of chutzpah for a German company that supplied the Nazi war machine to use a track that features the line, “I rode a tank / Held a general's rank / When the Blitzkrieg raged / And the bodies stank.” Apparently, Mercedes-Benz has exactly that sort of chutzpah. The premise, of course, is that you don't have to sell your soul to afford the company's stylish new CLA. That for under 30 grand, you too can dance with Usher, be pulled into red-carpet photographs with Kate Upton, and compete in Formula 1 races.

First Sight: Mini

The first 'New' Mini was launched just five years ago, replacing the original Mini that had changed only in detail since its 1959 debut. Designed by Frank Stephenson, now head of design at Fiat, the current design has been a sales success and most significantly has been very influential in demonstrating how small cars need not be explicitly functionalist, smaller versions of larger car types or feel cheap. The new 'New' Mini, designed under the direction of Gert Hildebrand at Mini, is announced today with exterior design by Marcus Syring, interior design by Marc Girard and colour and trim design by Annette Baumeister.

Skoda Octavia & Skoda Superb go 4×4

The Skoda Octavia gets 4x4 and DSG 'box We had a shout out for Skoda and what they do to make VW product their own when we ran story the other day on the new advert for the Skoda vRS, which shows how individual and inspired Skoda now are. Most of the time, anyway. Not only are Skodas inspired and individual, they are also something of a bargain compared to their VW brethren.