Airhead Designer Series Tube, Tangerine on 2040-parts.com

Consumer Reports gets top vehicle picks mostly right

Despite the publication's uncomfortably broad definition of reliability -- it spans everything from "the engine fell out" to "the touchscreen display shows fingerprints too easily" -- automakers still clamor to get on the Consumer Reports recommended vehicle list. This year's winners cover a broad spectrum of vehicles, and for the most part, we're in agreement with the magazine's editors, with one significant exception at the top of the list. Best overall vehicle went to the Tesla Model S.

Ampera grabs green award

VAUXHALL'S Ampera extended range electric vehicle has been honoured as Green Vehicle of the Year by fleet decision-makers at the prestigious 2012 Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) Awards. The awards, which are voted for online exclusively by the ACFO membership, are highly-prized because unlike many other awards they reflect the day-to-day operational experience and expertise of fleet decision-makers. This prize is the latest in a long line of over 40 top gongs for the ground-breaking Ampera, which include the current European Car of the Year, What Car?

Aston Martin One-77: First One-77 deliveries

One of the first Aston Martin One-77 customer cars snapped in Monaco Regular readers may remember our story last year about the guy who bought not one Aston Martin One-77, but ten. With the caveat that they were all delivered by September. Well, September came and went and he still hadn’t got his cars, but no one else had either.