K Source/fit System 70501t Door Mirror Passenger Side on 2040-parts.com

Hertz Lotus Hire in Italy

Hertz are now offering the Lotus Elise SC for hire in Italy Hertz and Lotus have the answer – drive a Lotus Elise to show the Italians they’re not the only ones to make a cracking two seater (and a lot cheaper). Hertz has teamed up with Lotus to offer a fleet of bright yellow Lotus Elise SC at select outlets throughout Italy from the middle of this month. True to say you could probably have hired yourself a Lotus before to trolly round Italy, but with a big car hire company like Hertz in on the plan you can be pretty sure there will be a lot of takers.

GMC Granite concept (w/ Video)

The biggest surprise at the 2010 NAIAS was GMC's Granite concept - a design that expands (or rather contracts) the truck/crossover brand's 'professional grade' philosophy to a compact hatchback aimed at urban hipsters and early adopters. Conceived by Frank Saucedo's Advanced Design team in California and then built at GM's Design Center in Detroit, the Granite combines the basic proportions of the Nissan Cube and Scion xB with a military/industrial feel inspired by the current G-Star and Diesel fashion lines. Watch the videos to the left to see the young international design team present the rationale behind the new concept, and read our opinion of the Granite in our 2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights.

UK Budget 2011: the outcome for motorists

UK chancellor George Osborne announced the 2011 budget today - which includes fuel duty cuts and changes to car tax that will affect every motorist in the land. 2011 Budget changes to fuel duty The Government will cut 1p in fuel duty, effective from 6.00pm tonight. Osborne said the fuel tax cut was designed to offset rising fuel prices, which have burdened every driver with higher bills. And the current inflation-linked 'fuel price escalator', established by the previous Government, has been abolished. Further fuel duty rises in line with inflation have been deferred until 1 January 2012. The planned 1 April 2012 fuel duty rise will be deferred to 1 August 2012.