2001 Honda Civic Ex Automatic Shifter Assembly on 2040-parts.com

Saab on the road to independence

You’ve got to feel for Scandinavian car makers Saab and Volvo. Both swallowed up by big US car makers, and both now being abandoned in a vulnerable position after years of integrating their once independent products in to their parents infrastructure, they must wake up every day wondering if this is the day it all goes bang. Ford is simply trying (increasingly desperately) to off-load Volvo, but GM, which is in a much more precarious position than Ford, has now abandoned its Swedish child in a desperate attempt to appease Congress and survive.

Lexus IS-F (2007): first official pictures

By Ben Oliver First Official Pictures 08 January 2007 09:22 So Lexus reckons it can do quick as well as quiet? The IS-F is the first in a series of F-badged performance cars with which Lexus hopes to take on Merc's AMG and BMW's M division. It was one of the few cars at Detroit that hadn't been seen before its unveil slot.

Olympic Amy aims for rallying gold

OLYMPIC GOLD medallist Amy Williams OBE is taking on new challenge when she takes part in the Wales Rally GB that starts on 14 November. Williams will be driving a rally-prepared Mitsubishi Evo and will be co-driven by veteran expert and Sky Sports News Formula One pundit Tony Jardine. Although she had never competed in a rally until recently, Williams has had an intensive 10 weeks of training, including tuition from professional rally driver Elfyn Evans.