Works Connection Radiator Brace 18-074 on 2040-parts.com

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

VW Passat Alltrack (2012) first official pictures

The poor man's Audi A6 Allroad? The new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack follows a well-trod path to create a more rugged estate car with some of the accoutrements of an SUV. Set to be unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo motor show at the end of November, the new Passat in wellies will arrive in UK dealers in July 2012.

2012 Fiat Panda starts at £8,900

The new Fiat Panda starts at under £9k The 2012 Fiat Panda will cost from £8,900 for the POP 1.2 8v 69 CV, rising to £12,250 for the Panda Lounge 1.3 MultiJet 75 CV in the UK. The 2012 Fiat Panda was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last Autumn, and looks as though it’s going to continue the Panda tradition of simple motoring at affordable prices with the news that the starting point for the new Panda will be £8,900 for the entry-level Panda POP 1.2 8v 69 CV. Even the top-of-the-range Panda Lounge 1.3 MultiJet 75 CV comes in at a not too unreasonable £12,250, with another eight models in between the two extremes offering variations of trim and engines to suit sensible urbam motoring.