05-13 Tacoma Access Cab 3" Polished Stainless Steel Side Step Bar Running Board on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin V8 Vantage pricing announced

A couple of months ago, we noted that Aston Martin had upgraded the V8 Vantage for 2012. After all, even the entry-level sybarite doesn't want to feel abandoned by the luxe maestros in Gaydon, and Gaydon doesn't want them to feel slighted. We previously mentioned the upgraded self-shifting transmission, which receives a seventh gear, as well as the quicker steering ported over from the Vantage S.

BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) teaser video

BMW is continuing to build up the hype ahead of the launch of its next M car – this is a teaser video giving us our first glimpse of the undisguised BMW 1-series M Coupe What’s new is our first look at this hot 1-series’ butch bodykit, complete with an engorged front bumper and triple air intakes. There are CSL-alike 19-inch wheels too, and sitting between the cross-drilled front discs is a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six, producing 335bhp and 369lb ft. Drive, thankfully, goes to just the rear wheels, and they’ll be a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’ll be an M diff too, but we hear it might be on the options list as BMW’s money men fight to keep the list price under £40k.   

KIA WINS AUTO EXPRESS USED CAR SCHEME OF THE YEAR

KIA’S Approved Used Car Scheme has been recognised as the best in the industry having been crowned Used Car Scheme of the Year in the Auto Express Used Car Awards 2011. The magazine praised Kia for going above and beyond normal approved used programmes with a number of customer benefits including its industry-leading seven year warranty that is fully transferable to subsequent owners.  Approved Used Kias don’t just get the balance of their manufacturer warranty.  Instead, the warranty is topped back up to the full seven years meaning that an Approved Used Kia gets the same warranty as a brand new Kia. Commenting on the award, John Hargreaves, Head of Vehicle Remarketing, Kia Motors said: “When we launched our Approved Used Car Scheme we set out to ensure it really did represent the best possible deal for customers so we’re obviously very proud that this been recognised by Auto Express with this award.