New Mevotech Pitman Arm, Mk8290 on 2040-parts.com

It looks like Aston Martin could be getting AMG/Mercedes platforms too

Mercedes/AMG platforms would make the Lagonda SUV a reality We’d been expecting Aston Martin to get access to Mercedes platforms ever since the Lagonda SUV – based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL - arrived in all its ‘beauty’ in 2009. The Lagonda SUV was met with wails of anguish from lovers of Aston Martin’s timeless beauty but, despite the horror at the looks of the SUV, the prospect that Aston Martin could be heading down a collaboration route with Mercedes was welcome. It was welcome because without the support of a major car maker – and access to its technology – Aston Martin would have little chance of a bright future; there is no way a minnow like Aston Martin could afford the development cost of new engines and platforms.

Oprah viewers get keys to 2012 Volkswagen Beetle giveaway cars

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is arriving at dealerships, and some of the first people to get one have waited nearly a year. Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey revealed the Beetle's design silhouette on her "Ultimate Favorite Things" giveaway show in 2010 and told audience members that they would be among the first owners. On Thursday, 276 people got their cars.

BMW i: the new electric car sub-brand launched

I spy something... beginning with i. That'll be the name for BMW's new sub-brand for its forthcoming electric vehicles (both pure EV and hybrid), announced today. Think of i as BMW M - a sub brand for the internet-savvy, eco-conscious, city-dwelling new premium car buyer. BMW's new sub-brand was launched with a live-streaming web conference from the BMW Welt complex in Munich on 21 February 2011.