Kawasaki Ex250 Ninja 250r 2009 09 Air Valve W Hose 125926 on 2040-parts.com

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

SEAT Leon gets an update

SEAT Leon - Gets updated for 2009 [ad#ad-1] The SEAT Leon has been around for a few years now, and SEAT has decided it’s time for a facelift, so a revised Leon gets a debut at Geneva next month before appearing in showrooms in the Summer. SEATs, on the whole, are perceived as a cheaper alternative to a Golf, which is not a bad summation. Slightly cheaper materials, particularly noticeable on the interior plastics, differentiate the Spanish sibling from its German counterpart.

Audi buys Ducati. Trophy or shrewd investment?

Audi buy Ducati It’s been confirmed that Audi is to buy Ducati, the Italian Super Bike maker, for an undisclosed sum thought to be around £700 million. Last month we reported that Audi has entered in to an exclusive agreement to buy Ducati, pipping Mercedes to the trophy super bike maker and adding a trophy to its cabinet. And the deal is now done.