1955 - 56 Pontiac Hood Release Latch on 2040-parts.com

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.

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.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG gets the Brabus treatment

The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG gets the Brabus treatment The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG is already the most powerful 2.0 litre 4-door saloon/coupe on the market, offering an immense 355bhp and 332lb/ft of torque. But if you think the CLA 45 AMG is a bit too tame – and needs to shout its performance a bit louder – then Brabus may have the answer with their take on the CLA 45 AMG. Brabus have taken the Mercedes 2.0 litre turbo and had a play with its brain to release even more horses than the standard car so it now has an astonishing 395bhp and 369lb/ft of torque, which manages to cut the 0-62mph to an even more impressive 4.2 seconds.