Hobie Cat 16 14 Part on 2040-parts.com

Le Mans 2010: a picture gallery by Alex Tapley

Last month I returned from my second consecutive Nurburgring 24hr race, so I was excited to be getting my first taste of Le Mans last weekend. Two very similar concepts, yet the endurance races at the Ring and Le Mans differ hugely, and both excite for very different reasons. I just hope they stay that way. Here are some of my favourite pictures from the weekend: 1.

BMW works hard to avoid gas-guzzler tax

BMW AG hopes to get out from under the gas-guzzler taxes that are tacked on to the sticker prices of some of its high-performance models in the United States. Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, says the company is studying fuel-efficiency improvements that could eliminate the gas-guzzler taxes on its vehicles as early as the launch of their redesigns in the next few years. The 2010 550i GT incurs a $1,000 gas-guzzler fee, for example.

Volvo S60, V60 & XC60 Polestar Black R – but only in Sweden

Volvo S60, V60 & XC60 Polestar Black R – but only in Sweden Volvo and Polestar’s relationship has recently yielded the new Volvo V60 Polestar with a fulsome 345 bhp and remarkably decent performance. Now, to celebrate Volvo Polestar’s double title (drivers –  Thed Björk - and constructors) in the 2013  Scandinavian Touring Car Championship they’re producing a limited number of Polestar ‘Black R’ models of the S60, V60 and XC60, but only for Sweden. Just like the normal Polestar upgrades, the extra power is more limited than the new V60 Polestar, with the T6 petrol getting 329 horses and the D5 diesel 230, with cosmetic tweaks including Ixion wheels, sports chassis, sports seats, Sensus Connect and more.