Honda Trx 450 R Cdi on 2040-parts.com

ECC pulls out of ‘Spy-in-the-sky’ road charging trials

Essex County Council, in a show of uncommon common sense, has pulled out of trials for the new ‘Spy in the Sky’ road charging tax. Road pricing trials halted in Essex Secret trials of a new system to charge motorists by the mile were due to roll out in Essex, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Buckinghamshire, London, and Suffolk, trialing the technology that would enable the government to charge motorists based on where they drive and when they drive. But the whole trial has been put in doubt after ECC announced they were no longer prepared to take part.

Alfa Romeo will reportedly become standalone company

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne plans to turn Alfa Romeo into a standalone company, Automotive News Europe reports. Marchionne is expected to announce wide-ranging plans for the brand on May 6 which will see Alfa Romeo become a stand-alone legal entity within Fiat-Chrysler, with a publicly disclosed profit and loss statement. Alfa Romeo is currently part of Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A., which also contains Lancia, Fiat Professional trucks and vans and the Abarth performance brand.

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Another week, and rather than just another Porsche, it’s another Black Edition Porsche special – this is the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition. There’s more power and more standard kit, but the price is higher too. Just 987 will ever be built, in a nod to Porsche’s internal numerical designation for the Boxster.