Dorman 924-102 Hinge Assembly on 2040-parts.com

Lotus's glimmer of hope: Proton stands by Hethel

After another painful year of sales for Lotus in the UK – down 58% on 2011 - Norfolk's beleagured sports car brand has kicked off the New Year with the grand unveiling of its new flagship Malaysian showroom, and the thumbs-up from senior Proton company suits that Lotus isn't on its last legs. The announcement comes in the same week Lotus’s sales figures were released for 2012. Showing a substantial 58% decrease in sales and selling just 137 vehicles, Lotus Cars was the worst performer in the UK with a woeful 0.01% share of the market.  Are Lotus's Malaysian owners sticking by the company?

Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept

Chevrolet has released a sketch of their WTCC Ultra concept that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in three weeks. Styled by Ewan Kingsbury of GM Australia, who also worked on the Holden Torana, the concept was further developed in Europe to produce a fully working prototype, while the engine comes from Korea and the body from Japan. The international collaboration demonstrates the breadth of GM's resources, and has resulted in Chevrolet's vision of a new generation of World Touring Cars.

Mazda 6 estate (2012) first official pictures

Just a fortnight after the new Mazda 6 saloon was revealed at the 2012 Moscow motor show, the estate version of the 6 is headed for its own spot in the limelight at the Paris show later this month. Powered by the same range of engines as the saloon, and underpinned by Mazda's fuel-supping 'SkyActiv' architecture, it'll reach UK shores before the end of 2012. Mazda 6 estate: the engine details The Mazda 6 has always been a fleet market favourite, and as such the most important engine will be the diesel.