1961-1962 Chevrolet Impala Speedometer Chrome Trim on 2040-parts.com

Nissan pilots digital car manual

NISSAN has brought the humble car manual into the 21st Century with a new smartphone app that contains everything drivers need, including warning light recognition. The ‘iManual’ system is being trialled with the Micra manual, since Nissan has judged that the stylish supermini’s owners are the most likely to adopt and use the iPhone- and Android-compatible app. It squeezes the paper manual’s entire contents into an easy-to-manage format that users can access anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.

Mercedes-Benz axes Maybach

High ranking Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed to Autoweek that the underperforming Maybach brand will be officially killed off in 2013. The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after a decade of disappointing sales for the Maybach 57 and 62 and a recent decision from the German car maker’s chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a “positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand” . “We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the insider said.

Zagato V12 triumphs at Villa d'Este

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was victorious at this year's Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, winning the Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes. The modern interpretation of the iconic DB4GT Zagato fought off competition from ten other entries including BMW’s 328 Hommage, Audi’s Quattro concept and the James Glickenhaus P4/5 Competizione Ferrari. Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, said: “We are thrilled to see that this car conquered people’s hearts.