Xtrac 436 Drag Gearbox on 2040-parts.com

Video: Yasushi Nakamuta on Mazda 3's 'unique' design process

It may be leaden with PR-talk but this short presentation by Yasushi Nakamuta, Mazda's director of advanced design studio at the press unveiling of the new Mazda 3 in Melbourne is still worth a couple of minutes of your time. But while the 3 is undeniably attractive we can't help but feel that the 'unique' design process Nakamuta describes (which appears wholly conventional to us) has resulted in little more than a thoroughly normal product. Take a look for yourself at the video to your left.

Red Bull one-two in German Grand Prix

Mark Webber achieved his first F1 win in the Red Bull at the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring Red Bull driver Mark Webber took pole position for the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring this weekend and, despite a hiccup at the start, managed to translate that in to a double – his first pole and first win in F1. Webber was quick off the line at the start, but got tangled up with Rubens Barrichello in the Brawn. That altercation cost Webber a 10 second drive-through penalty.

Tyre warning for drivers heading into Europe

BRITISH DRIVERS could face on the spot fines for using the wrong tyres when travelling in Europe this winter. Severe winter weather in many European countries means the normal summer tyres fitted to most UK cars will not offer enough grip for safe driving or braking in icy or snowy conditions. In Germany and some ski resorts, drivers are liable to on-the-spot fines if their car is not equipped with winter tyres or their car becomes stuck in slippery conditions due to the wrong tyres being fitted.