Diesel drivers 'pollution penalty'

DRIVERS OF DIESEL CARS could have to pay more in road tax or face additional levies to travel into city centres in an effort to tackle pollution, it is reported. Major cities around the UK are considering bringing in low emission zones to force out older diesel vehicles that are responsible for higher levels of fumes, The Times said. Almost all diesel vehicles driven into central London will trigger a £10 charge under plans being considered by mayor Boris Johnson, who will also reportedly lobby the Government to increase road tax on diesel cars to encourage motorists to move to cleaner vehicles.

New Audi A3 Cabriolet starts at £25,790 – first deliveries April 2014

New Audi A3 Cabriolet starts at £25,790 – first deliveries April 2014 The new Audi A3 Cabriolet – the fourth member of Audi’s A3 range – was revealed in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and now, with first deliveries expected by spring 2014 in the UK, Audi has revealed the new drop-top A3 will cost from £25,790. That will buy you in to the entry-level SE trim which comes with a fully automatic roof in black, 16″ alloys, AirCon, MMI radio, iPod connection, DAB, Bluetooth and prep for an SD card Nav. The Sport and S Line sped A3s sit 15mm lower than the SE and get an acoustic folding roof in a choice of black, grey and brown and you can, if you wish, opt for the softer SE suspension or, if your season ticket for the chiropractor is up to date, spec the S Line with sports suspension.

Mercedes GLA 45 AMG: OFFICIAL

Mercedes GLA 45 AMG: OFFICIAL After the arrival of the Mercedes A 45 AMG – and its swoopy coupe sibling CLA 45 AMG – it was always more than likely that Mercedes would launch a GLA 45 AMG, and we saw the first evidence of that with the debut of the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. But now, Mercedes has the production version of the GLA 45 AMG ready to go and we get the first photos and details ahead of its debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Powered by the same 355bhp 2.0 litre turbo as the A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG, the GLA 45 AMG manages to get to 62mph in 4.8 seconds (0.2 slower than the A 45 and CLA 45) and manages official economy fo 37.6mpg and 175g/km (but not in the real world).