Keyless ignition trends toward standardization

A federal plan to require automakers to standardize keyless ignition systems in the wake of Toyota's unintended acceleration problems is likely to mirror industry guidelines issued in January, an automaker group said. Large automakers except Toyota said they already comply with the guidelines crafted by SAE International or plan to do so. These "recommended practices'' seek to counter the variation, driver confusion and safety problems that have ensued since automakers started installing push-button ignition in luxury models.

New Range Rover ‘Ultimate’ and Range Rover Sport RS confirmed

The Range Rover Autobiography Black (pictured) The arrival of the new Range Rover in 2012 pushed the Range Rover even more upmarket, with the £100k Range Rover becoming a norm and some buyers speccing their RRs way beyond that. Land Rover has already responded to the obvious desire of buyers to make their Range Rovers more and more opulent with the arrival of the Range Rover Autobiography Black (pictured above) with an even greater standard spec and a longer wheelbase too. But now it seems Land Rover are starting to ready themselves for the inevitable arrival of Bentley’s SUV in the next couple of years (and probably and SUV from Rolls Royce too) with an even higher spec model.

One Lap of the Web: Brazilian Volkswagens and unnecessary Volkswagens

-- Ever seen a Volkswagen SP2? It's a Brazil-only model made between 1972 and 1976 because, at the time, the Brazilian market was closed to imports. Just over 10,000 examples were made, and some have made their way to the U.S.