Pontiac Grand Prix 01-03 Aztek 03-05 16" 3 Spoke Honeycomb Silver Alloy Wheel 1 on 2040-parts.com

Ford to triple production of EcoBoost engines by 2015

Ford EcoBoost Engine production to increase In another clear sign of engine downsizing by car makers Ford has announced it will triple production of its EcoBoost engines in Europe by 2015. The petrol engine is fighting back against hybrids and diesels with downsizing and forced induction creating petrol engines that work more pleasingly than  diesels – and with lower particulate emissions – whilst delivering proper performance and levels of economy that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Ford is in the vanguard of this mainstream push to make petrol engines relevant even in a car world dictated by government CO2 targets (which aren’t really CO2 targets , they’re official economy targets) and they’re planning to triple production of their very good range of EcoBoost engines in Europe over the next three years.

Subaru recalls 275,000 Foresters for seatbelt fix

Subaru will recall certain Forester models produced in model years 2009-11. About 275,000 of the small SUVs could be affected by a problem with the automatic locking retractor in the seatbelt assembly. In the recall announcement, Subaru says the assemblies do not meet federal motor-vehicle safety standards for occupant crash protection.

New Fiat Panda Cross is a rugged Panda 4×4 baby SUV

The new Fiat Panda Cross (pictured) debuts at Geneva It might not be the top of everyone’s wish list as a baby SUV, but the Fiat Panda Cross has always been better than you’d imagine, and the latest Panda Cross – revealed ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show – looks even more able than the last Panda Cross and better looking too. The 2014 Fiat Panda Cross (although it will really be a 2015 model by the time it arrives in the UK) looks like a proper baby SUV thanks to its new front bumper with a satin titanium skid plate full of round cut-outs, new back bumper with skid plate, new lights, big wheel arches, roof bars and a new set of 15″ alloys (with ‘All Seasons’ 185/65R15 tyres), whilst the interior gets Climate, Blue&Me Infotainment and height-adjustable driver’s seat. The Panda Cross also gets proper baby SUV toys like automatic drive between the axles according to grip, torque control of individual wheels when off-road and hill descent control for controlled downhill descents.