Raymarine D10 Pod on 2040-parts.com

Redesigned Mercedes-Benz M-class takes to the road for testing

Mercedes-Benz gave its M-class SUV a mild freshening last year. But a more-thorough makeover is on the way two years from now for the 2012 model. These prototypes--the first we've seen of the new M-class--are wearing a lot of camouflage, but through the nose opening we spy a sharper grille design that looks similar to the GLK.

News watch April 2010: today's auto industry news

Welcome to CAR's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hourThursday 29 April 2010• The European Commission has published a document outlining plans to encourage the take-up of electric cars. It includes a strategy for a common charging socket (Financial Times)• BMW has leapfrogged Toyota as the world's most valuable automotive brand, according to the BrandZ Top 100 survey.

Fewer learners crashing mid-test

A CRASH in the midst of your driving test is not a good start to your life on the road, but this year it's being predicted that these calamities will take a huge dive. Research from IntelligentCarLeasing.com reveals a downward trend in mid-test collisions. Last year there were 22% fewer than in 2009.