Alfa Romeo 101 Giulietta Original Oil Pan Windage Tray on 2040-parts.com

The next F1: McLaren plans replacement for supercar

Formula One powerhouse McLaren secretly has begun work on a replacement for its legendary F1 supercar, while it also gears up to become a mainstream sports-car maker. McLaren's Technology Center in Woking, England, has built some 2,000 McLaren SLR supercars a year for Mercedes-Benz, but McLaren boss Ron Dennis reportedly has his sights set on producing 1,000 of its upcoming Ferrari F430-fighting P11s a year starting in 2011. The number, Dennis said, will rise to 4,000 cars by mid-decade as future models such as the Porsche 911-challenging P8 come on line.

Buick Verano

The Buick Verano will become the GM brand's smallest model when launched at the upcoming NAIAS in Detroit. Based on the same Delta II platform as the Chevrolet Cruze and Opel/Vauxhall Astra, it is also visually related to the latter, albeit to a lesser degree than its larger Regal sibling is to the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. The upper-C-segment Verano's DRG features the familiar 'waterfall' grille, finished in black chrome, blue-lensed projector headlamps and requisite portholes atop its hood.

Bob Lutz returns as General Motors adviser

The raspy voice of Bob Lutz will again be heard at General Motors. The company announced on Friday morning that its former product czar is returning as an adviser. Lutz had been advising GM executives on an informal basis, the company said.