Yamaha Snowmobile Exciter Ii 570 Cylinder Head 1991 on 2040-parts.com

Corvette C7 makes its debut in Gran Turismo 5

An unusual one, this: from today, gamers playing Gran Turismo 5 will be able to test drive the new Corvette C7 - two months before it's revealed to the world at the 2013 Detroit auto show. The makers of GT5 on PlayStation have modelled a camouflaged 'Vette C7 with Chevrolet's approval. We can't remember a manufacturer letting the public 'loose' in a prototype quite so far ahead of a car's launch before.

BMW ‘reveals’ new EfficientDynamics prototype

BMW has established a Web site called www.dontblogabouthis.com with the express purpose of revealing a prototype being used to test a new gasoline-electric driveline earmarked for a future sports car. It’s expected to be launched in 2012 as part of BMW’s EfficientDynamics program. Featuring two short videos and four photographs of a 6-series based prototype, the Web site provides no additional information about the prototype other than to suggest that the car in question is “more than a 6-series”and is “not in its final stage.” Close inspection reveals the matte black BMW mule has a new front end resembling that of the one-off EfficientDynamics concept revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

Hennessey Venom GT hits new, unofficial, speed record (video)

The Hennessey Venom GT (pictured) hist 270.49mph on a NASA runway Top speed records for production cars is starting to seem pretty irrelevant as there’s almost nowhere an owner can ever hope to hit those record speeds. And the performance of cars like the new McLaren P1 – where  performance and handling are much more the focus than outright top speed – has added the the irrelevance. But that doesn’t stop some car makers aiming for the bragging rights of the world’s fastest production car, and John Hennessey and his Hennessey Venom GT are back with another claim on the title.