Clutch Pressure Plate Sachs Bbc1009 on 2040-parts.com

VW Golf R (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The new VW Golf R has been revealed and it’s the fastest version of the iconic hatch ever. The all-wheel drive flagship Golf now has 296bhp, up from 267bhp, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive sending the six-speed DSG version from 0-62mph in a feisty 4.9sec – matching the BMW M135i, but still shy of the Mercedes A45 AMG, which cracks it in 4.6sec. Why would I buy this over a Golf GTI?

Top 10 cars recalled for safety issues in 2013

A total of 850,000 cars were recalled in Britain last year, according to figures released by the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (Vosa). A recall takes place when a car manufacturer becomes aware of a safety-related defect involving one of its cars. Here, using the figures from Vosa, MSN Cars highlights the most recalled cars of 2013, before going on to list the results by manufacturer.

VW developing 10-speed transmission to save fuel

Volkswagen is developing a 10-speed dual-clutch transmission to help reduce fuel consumption in its vehicles, CEO Martin Winterkorn said. The transmission is one of a number of drivetrain technologies that the automaker is focusing on for the mid- and long term, he said. Others include plug-in hybrids and a high performance diesel engine.