Nissan Vanette 2003 Condenser [7960600] on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Win the first new Jaguar XJ

Jaguar are hoping to raise £1 million for the NSPCC in a ‘Win a new XJ’ competition But the work of actually getting the XJ in to customers’ hands in now the focus, and although we did an update on the new XJ’s progress recently there is nothing much more to report until cars hit the road in January. But if you want to have the privilege of owning the very first new XJ off the production line – a 3.0 litre diesel Portfolio worth £62k – you can enter a competition Jaguar are running to give away that very first car. Jaguar are hoping that sales of tickets for the competition – which cost £125 each – will raise £1 million for the NSPCC’s ‘Child’s Voice’ appeal, which is aiming to raise £50 million in total to fund its helplines.

Top Gear: Video of the Top Gear Live show from NEC 2011

Top Gear Live Show at NEC As we’ve said before, we always know when Top Gear has something to promote – they send us videos and bend over backwards to give us anything we want. But that’s OK. We know lots of our readers enjoy Top Gear and a TG video is always fun.