Aston Martin & Mercedes join forces

Aston Martin Production will soon see an injection of Mercedes DNA This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about a partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes, but according to Car & Driver it’s now just about a done deal. As long ago as March 2009 we reported that Mercedes supplied the basis for the Lagonda SUV Concept (a Mercedes GL), and six months later we reported that Aston Martin were working on a Mercedes S-Class based Lagonda saloon. More recently we reported that the GL-based Lagonda SUV was back on and that Mercedes wanted Aston Martin to put together the next generation of Maybach.

New SEAT Leon ST Estate revealed

The New SEAT Leon ST Estate (pictured) has been revealed ahead of a Frankfurt debut As estate cars have become more stylish, more and more buyers have fallen in love with the idea of a ‘Wagon’ version as their family transport, as it now offers little downside and much more practicality. So it’s no wonder SEAT has decided to bite the bullet and launch an Estate version of the Leon – the Leon ST – as the third model in the Leon line-up. The ST estate shares its wheelbase with the five-door Leon but gets a small – and reasonably stylish – shed bolted on the back to offer 587 litres of space with the seats down and a reasonably commodious 1470 litres with the seats down.

Cadillac may get future rear-drive hybrids

General Motors' two mode hybrid powertrain, used only in trucks, will migrate to rear-drive cars in the next generation, said Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations. Two likely candidates: Cadillacs, says consultant Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics in suburban Detroit. Last month, GM said it is developing an electric motor that is 25 percent smaller and 20 percent more powerful than the motor used in today's two mode hybrid full-sized trucks.