2013 Skoda Superb Facelift revealed

The Skoda Superb has been given a facelift for 2013 with cosmetic tweaks and improved emissions and economy. Debuts at Shanghai Motor Show. The usual facelift fodder applies – for the hatch and estate – with new bumpers front and back with a new grill, lights, front wings and bonnet with a tidying up at the back and LED lights.

Essex boost for car loving home buyers

An Essex council is to make garages and drives bigger on new homes For most of the last decade the UK Government has waged a war on the motorist. Endless speed cameras, which are in reality just tax-raising  machines and have little to do with road safety; never-ending fuel tax rises; congestion charging; spiralling parking charges; road-charging schemes and the only coppers you see have a speed gun so non-speeding untaxed and uninsured drivers never get caught -  pushing up costs for the rest of us. But one of the most stupid, head-in-the-sand policies was the idea that new houses should encourage people to forsake their cars by making garages too small and off-street parking almost non-existent.

Chevrolet Volt prices announced

GM has revealed that the Volt hybrid could cost $33,500 (£21,000) in the US after government tax credits, making it nearly £2000 cheaper than Nissan’s Leaf electric car. The Volt’s List price is $41,000 (£26,300) but qualifies for a subsidy thanks to its low emissions. A basic Volt comes with Bluetooth and sat-nav but buyers can add leather seats and steering wheel, heated seats, rear camera, polished wheels and park assist.