2012 Polaris Rush 800 Throttle Cable Switchback Assault Indy 600 2010-2016 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz backs Smart with ads, deals

Smart USA will launch a TV, print and digital marketing campaign by year end to jump-start the struggling microcar brand that Mercedes-Benz USA took over on July 1. "People are not avoiding the brand or the product, but there is a great majority of people who are not aware of the brand," said Tracey Matura, the new general manager of Smart USA. Mercedes is also offering lease and finance deals for the Smart brand through its Mercedes-Benz Financial Services captive finance arm.

BMW X1 gets updated for 2014

The 2014 BMW X1 (pictured) gets a tweaked front end The BMW X1 arrived back in 2009 as a high-riding Sports Activity Vehicle (BMW’s preferred description for their compact SUV come crossover) and had a bit of a facelift for 2012 to keep it fresh. Now, two years on from the last facelift, BMW has decided they need to up the ante a little (especially with more competition arriving in the shape of the new Mercedes GLA) so the BMW X1 is getting a mild makeover for 2014. The only real changes you’ll notice are tweaks to the front end of the X1 with new accents on the bumper and a bigger air intake, daytime running lights across the X1 range, new 17″ alloys and the availability of Sparkling Brown metallic to the paint colour options.

Fire risk Porsche in global recall

SPORTS car maker Porsche is asking more than 100 UK owners of the latest 911 GT3 models to stop driving them while tests go on following cases of vehicles catching fire. The advice, to 101 UK owners who have paid around £100,000 for their vehicles, has gone out to a total of 785 owners worldwide of the GT3s from the 2014 model year. Porsche said there had been two cases in Europe of cars catching fire.