Westin 65-75840 Brake Control on 2040-parts.com

Future products: BMW focuses on small crossovers, new EV subbrand

BMW will concentrate on small crossovers next year with a redesigned X3 and the all-new X1. Both are based on the redesigned 3-series sedan, which will arrive in 2012. In 2013, a new subbrand of electric and hybrid vehicles being developed by BMW's Project i group will debut.

2013 Land Rover Defender gets a bit more appealing

Land Rover has updated the Defender for 2013 with new colours, new premium seat design and upgraded in-car entertainment. The updates for the 2013 Land Rover defender may not be quite as radical, but in a car world that now expects a little more in the way of home comforts – even if you’re fording a stream or climbing a mountain – the new options are welcome. Land Rover has decided to offer a new range of contrast roof colours for the Defender, with the normal white option being extended to include Santorini Black, Indus Silver, Orkney Grey or Firenze Red and available on almost the whole of the Defender’s paint jobs.

Road-pricing petition closes

By Jack Carfrae Motoring Issues 12 October 2007 11:20 The UK’s controversial debate over pay-as-you-drive road tolls reaches a milestone today with the closure of a popular online protest. Nearly 1.7 million aggrieved motorists have signed the petition since it was launched by Downing Street last November – firmly rejecting Government plans to charge drivers up to £1.34 a mile at peak times.The petition, which closes at midnight on Wednesday (00.00 GMT) proved so popular that it has caused the Downing Street website to crash. And prime minister Tony Blair has vowed to send an email to everyone who signed the petition, justifying Government plans to launch road tolls as the only solution for chronic congestion problems.CAR Online’s take on all this?