New! Kawasaki Jetski Watercraft Cover Scarlet Red on 2040-parts.com

More than a (gull)wing and a prayer

They make up just six percent of Mercedes car sales in the United States—but nothing preserves and proliferates the top-shelf, seductive image of a Benz like a sports car. This is a point that's been driven home to me in a wide array of circumstances this year: Mercedes sports cars are still rock stars. I'll admit, I've often been a skeptic.

Peugeot 208 GTi price from £18,895

Peugeot has revealed that the new 208 GTI will cost from £18,895, with the order book for the 208 GTi opening in March. That price will be £18,895 – almost £2k more than the new Fiesta ST - and includes the usual GTi stuff like 17″ alloys, new grill, LED running lights, twin exhausts, leather and cloth upholstery, red trim details, DAB, rear parking and a smattering of GTi badges. Peugeot also say that the 208 GTi has been fettled to make it a more sporty prospect than the standard 208, with retuned suspension and wider track.

2013 Mazda CX-9 debuts before Australian show

Mazda will fully reveal the 2013 CX-9 SUV at the Australian International motor show in October. It appears that Mazda couldn't wait that long, as the company just released a few images of the redesigned people carrier, which now looks like the big brother to the CX-5. It features the Kodo design language that we've seen at several auto shows, which lends it a sportier look than previous models.