Stryker Leaning Post Boat Seating Center Console Anodized Aluminum on 2040-parts.com

Ford and GM reliability ratings dip in Consumer Reports survey

Consumers rated Ford's new Explorer, Fiesta and Focus models at less-than-average reliability during their first year, according to Consumer Reports' annual auto survey. Poor reception of the new models bumped Ford's overall reliability rank from the 10th spot in 2010 to the 20th this year among the 28 major nameplates included in the survey. Findings are based on responses from 1.3 million vehicle owners or lessees who subscribe to the magazine.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage (2009): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 February 2009 09:00 Aston Martin today unveils the new V12 Vantage – the production version of the 2007 concept car. No prizes for guessing this car’s remit: it’s the beautiful Vantage bodyshell (now four years old!) stuffed with six litres and 12 cylinders of Aston muscle. The V12 Vantage will be shown at the 2009 Geneva motor show on 3 March.

Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde SBK Limited Edition arrives

There’s a new limited edition Alfa Romeo MiTo on offer – the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde SBK – with just 28 cars on sale in the UK at a price of £21,595. Which explains why, when Alfa were scratching their heads to come up with a new Limited Edition MiTo, they settled on the the Superbike link with the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde SBK Limited Edition. The MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde SBK has now arrived on UK shores – although there will only be 28 of them – complete with Superbike titivation and a few publicity photos featuring the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde SBK on two wheels alongside a Superbike.