Mercedes Benz W114 Coupe Window Vent Left Side W115 on 2040-parts.com

Daimler, Renault are set to share vehicle platforms and engines

Following a year of intensive high-level talks and secretive, behind the scenes strategy meetings, Daimler AG and Renault SA have agreed on plans that will see their car-making divisions--Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault and Nissan--share resources on a wide range of products. The move signals more consolidation within the European automotive industry. Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and Renault president Carlos Ghosn have set out three primary areas of cooperation that will see the carmakers share small-car and light-commercial-vehicle platforms, small gasoline and diesel engines, and electric drive systems.

Mercedes SLS David Coulthard Golf Ball catch – now on video

The recent golf ball catching Guinness world record set by David Coulthard and Jake Shepherd finally turns up on video. In another of those ‘We didn’t know there was a world record for that’ stories, we reported earlier this month that a new Guinness World Record had been set for the furthest golf shot caught in a car. A Mercedes SLS AMG driven by David Coulthard had managed to catch a golf ball driven down the runway at Dunsfold by professional golfer Jake Shepherd.

Toyota GT86 TRD (2013) first pictures and details

Toyota's performance arm TRD (stop sniggering, it stands for Toyota Racing Development) has breathed on the GT86 coupe. The GT86 TRD, of which just 250 examples are UK-bound, gets a subtle bodykit, bigger wheels, a tuned exhaust and a couple of badging trinkets, but crucially, no extra power from the 2.0-litre boxer engine. A mistake, given that the price is up by £6500?