Nos. Mercury 56-67776a1. Lock Washer on 2040-parts.com

GM speeds development of cars delayed during battle for survival

With bankruptcy behind it, General Motors is speeding up the development of vehicle programs that had been delayed. One car, the next generation Chevrolet Malibu, will go on sale in two years. In August, GM executives said that car would debut a year later, in 2012.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

The rather unloved yet brilliantly packaged Mercedes B-Class will enter its second generation at next month's Frankfurt motor show. Gone, sadly, is the ingenious sandwich floor construction, replaced by a conventional front-drive platform. The result is a reduction in height by 48mm to 1557mm, while length has grown by 89mm and width by 11mm.

SEAT reveals new X-Perience crossover

SEAT SEAT has revealed the new Leon X-Perience, the latest addition to the expanding Leon range and a foray into a new niche for VW's Spanish subsidiary. Following a method proven by the likes of Audi, Subaru and Volvo, SEAT has taken its new Leon estate, the ST, and added 4WD and plastic bumpers to create a new model. The basic shape of the Leon ST has remained unchanged, with a 15mm rise in ride-height and new anodised black roof rails completing the transformation.