A Nos Gm A-body Spiral Shock Gto, Chevelle, F85, Skylark, Etc. on 2040-parts.com

India turns the screw on luxury car makers

Land Rover will still be sending CKD to India despite the rise in import duty India’s economy is growing almost exponentially, as a result of which it has a big, rising middle-class with much the same aspirations as the middle-class in the West. Those aspirations include the accumulation of status symbols considered worthy of representing their success and new wealth, none more so than a good set of wheels. So it’s no surprise that the mainstream luxury car makers – Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, Audi and BMW – are ready, willing and able to provide exactly what India’s middles classes are looking for.

Suzuki Crosshiker concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Back in 2011, Suzuki unveiled an ultra-efficient small car concept called the Regina –　though this name was quickly changed to G70 for Europe (can’t imagine why). Now in 2013, Suzuki has unveiled the Crosshiker – a taller, chunkier take on the same theme. This is a very modern crossover, in other words.

From Cape Town to London -- in a Fiat Panda

If we wanted to break the speed record for the run from Cape Town, South Africa to London -- a quick 10,000-mile jaunt -- we'd start out by scouring the classifieds for something big and rugged. A Land Rover would be a classic choice, but a tricked-out Toyota or Jeep could do nicely as well. A team consisting of British rally drivers Philip Young and Paul Brace are taking a somewhat different approach.