Sealed Power Intermediate Driveshaft 224-61127 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes launch new 9G-Tronic gearbox on E350 BlueTec

New Mercedes E350 BlueTec (pictured) gets 9-speed 9G-TRONIC auto It’s not exactly a million years ago that automatic gearboxes offered poorer performance and economy than manual gearboxes, and came as standard with just three gears. But now, automatic gearboxes are so good they can  change quicker than any driver and, with the proliferation of eight-speed auto ‘boxes, offer improved economy and performance too. The next logical step is even more ratios in an auto ‘box, and Land Rover has already revealed they’ll be fitting the Evoque with a 9-speed ZF ‘box from 2014, and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a nine-speed auto ‘box too.

Fines for middle-lane hogs from this Friday

Motoring Research New fixed penalties for careless driving – including needlessly hogging the middle-lane of the motorway – come into force on Friday 16 August. According to the AA, almost a third of British motorists could be at risk of picking up a £100 fine and three penalty points for this under the new rules. So it has come up with some top tips for driving on the motorway, to help us all out.

Video: Volvo designers offer an insight into inspiration

A film crew has visited Volvo's Gothenberg design studios to meet two of its design team and find out what makes them tick. Exterior designer Peter Reuterberg and Interior designer Axel Ernstsson are filmed both in the classically Scandinavian studio and strolling in slow motion through a typically-Swedish snowy landscape. Ok, it may be a little cheesy, but it certainly rams home the company's nationality.