New Volvo C30 R-design (2010) revealed

Volvo is launching an R-design version of the new C30 The R-Design body kit on the C30 is painted in the same colour as the car for a seamless integration, and the visual illusion that the C30 is actually much lower tha the 10mm suspension drop. Five-spoke Cactus alloys are fitted, and the interior gets new upholstery. Just a shame there are no power upgrades.

Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Mercedes C 180 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Review & Road Test (2010)

The Mercedes C180 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY in for a week for Review & Road Test There was a time when you knew what lurked beneath the bonnet of a Mercedes; the badge on the boot shouted it loud and clear. If it was an S500 you knew it had a 5.0 litre engine and if it said C180 you could safely assume you’d get a modest 1.8 litre lump to row Mercedes’ smallest saloon along. But things have got a bit more complicated over the years; probably because the cubic capacity of the engine is not necessarily an indication of its power.