Escort 9500 I on 2040-parts.com

New Mercedes A Class: 90,000 orders and counting

Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Mercedes already has 90,000 orders for the new A-Class just months after its reveal. It’s a credible, good looking and clever car that’s a serious offering in the premium compact market and, if the order book for 70,000 A-Class Mercedes already had by the end of October is anything to go by, it’s going to be a roaring success. That sales figure has now jumped to 90,000 A-Class – according to Mercedes boss, Dieter Zetsche – and stands at double the order book Volkswagen has for the new MK 7 Golf.

2014 Porsche Panamera V6 Diesel Facelift gets more power

The 2014 Porsche Panamera V6 Diesel Facelift (pictured) gets more power When Porsche revealed the facelift for the Panamera in April, we commented that we could expect a new V6 diesel to arrive in the Panamera for 2014 with around 300bhp. And here it is. The new Porsche Panamera V6 diesel gets the same tweaks to bumpers and lights as the rest of the range – and modest though they are, they do make the Panamera look a little less bulbous – but the most appealing news is a bit more oomph from Porsche’s entry-level diesel Panamera.

Ford overhauls Michigan plant to build new Focus

Ford will spend $550 million to retool an assembly plant in suburban Detroit to build the redesigned 2011 Ford Focus. Production is to start next year. As part of the overhaul, the plant, known as Michigan Assembly, also will build an electric-powered version of the new Focus.