1966-1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Instrument Cluster White Face Gauges 66-67 on 2040-parts.com

Cost of garage labour falling

THE AVERAGE labour rate at both franchised and non-franchised garages has fallen compared to 2012, according to new figures. An annual survey of 12,000 cases conducted on behalf of Warranty Direct has concluded that the average labour rate in 2013 is £74.70, a fall of 9.84% from £82.86 in 2012. Less encouraging is the overall trend of rising labour rates, with the average having increased by 33% over the last ten years.

BMW M5 comes alive with all-wheel drive

The 2012 BMW M5 will come with a handful of firsts for the sedan. It will be the first time the car houses a turbocharged powerplant, the first time a dual-clutch gearbox is used and, most importantly, the first time the M5 gets all-wheel drive. That's the word from BMW brass in Shanghai, where Albert Biermann, head of BMW M's research and development, confirmed the powertrain, Autocar reports.

Fiat 500 to spawn the 500X SUV / Crossover

The Fiat 500L (pictured) will turn in to the butch Fiat 500X SUV With the Fiat 500, 500C and 500L aiming to take on MINI, Fiat has decided the next step is a Countryman SUV 500 – the Fiat 500X. The two most successful reincarnations of iconic cars to hit the market have been the MINI and the Fiat 500. Both have managed to evoke the spirit of the original in a cohesive and appealing modern iteration.