Mercedes Benz 190sl Grill Surround on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz SL

The next generation Mercedes-Benz SL – code name R231 – is the sixth model to wear the 'Sport Leicht' badge since the first back in 1954. Despite being 50mm longer (at 4612mm) and 57mm wider (1877mm) than its predecessor, the new SL is considerably lighter thanks to its aluminium construction. Its drag Cd figure of 0.27 also helps to increase efficiency.

Honda Civic's frugal 2013 DTEC diesel: more info

Honda will equip its current Civic hatch with a 1.6-litre diesel engine from early in 2013. The engine is, Honda claims, the cleanest, most frugal engine in its class, and will offer diesel Civic buyers up to 78.5mpg, according to the company's figures. The downsized 1.6 derv will also see duty in the new CR-V soft-roader later on in 2013.

MG Design Centre opens in UK

The opening of MG's new design center this week at the historic production site of Longbridge, Birmingham, England was both an incredible and credible occasion. Incredible, because the brand looked dead in the water after the debacle of MG Rover's collapse in 2005 and even after various Chinese takeovers, its UK operation seemed destined to play no more than a tokenistic bit part. And thankfully credible too, because now all of MG's global design will genuinely be led from this new facility in the epicentre of England's traditional motoring heartland.