CAR TALK
MERCEDES-BENZ SHOWS OFF ITS LATEST ALUMINIUM SL
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new SL ahead of its introduction at the Detroit motor show in January. The new SL is built almost entirely from aluminium, has a rigid all-aluminium body shell to improve agility, and weighs 140kg less than its predecessor. New, more powerful BlueDIRECT engines are 30 per cent more economical too.
GOVERNMENT SPENDS JUST A THIRD OF ROAD TAX ON ROADS
According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) the Government collects more than three times in motoring taxes than it spends on UK roads. In 2010 fuel and vehicle taxes raised around £32bn yet just £9.5bn was spent on the road network, which it says may explain the increasing pothole problem.
GET READY FOR THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL JEEP
The most powerful Jeep ever – the Grand Cherokee SRT8 – goes on sale next year for £58,995. Its new 470hp 6.4-litre V8 engine can propel the flagship Jeep from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 160mph. The car can run in four-cylinder mode only to improve fuel economy.