1/2 Inch Aircraft Shucks Cord on 2040-parts.com

Jaguar hybrid cars due in 2013-14

Jaguar will launch its own hybrid vehicles soon after Land Rover, CAR can confirm. Parent company Jaguar Land Rover is developing battery-assisted hybrid versions for both brands but its strategy puts part-electric Land Rovers first on the launchpad in 2013.Hybrid Jaguars – set to include the XJ and XF, but eventually every model – are therefore likely to be on the market by 2013-2014, using a similar eight-speed ZF hybrid transmission to petrol-electric BMWs.The staggered roll-out of battery Jags and Land Rovers makes sense: heavy 4x4s have come in the firing line from green protestors who label them Chelsea Tractors. Hybrid Land Rovers will trim emissions and – in plug-in hybrid mode – enable even big bulky Range Rovers to drive in zero-emissions mode into central urban areas emitting nothing more unsaintly than an electric whir.So which Jaguars will go hybrid first?It's likely that the largest models such as the XJ will receive the hybrid power packs first; large cars reap the greater benefit and can more easily swallow the additional cost, put at around £10,000 in today's money.JLR's Midlands engineering bases in Whitley and Gaydon now employ 100 engineers in the expanding hybrid powertrain business unit launched 18 months ago.

Chevrolet to build 100 millionth Small Block engine

The 100 millionth copy of the Chevrolet Small Block engine will roll off the production line before the end of the year--a major milestone for the brand. The Chevy Small Block V8 was first introduced in 1955, laying the foundation for decades of vehicle performance and sustaining a competitive name for Chevy in the market. "The introduction of the Small Block changed everything," General Motors vice president Jim Campbell said.

Hennessey Venom GT hits 265.7mph for new world top speed record (+ video)

The Hennessey Venom GT – an American, Lotus Elise-based supercar – has clocked 265.7mph for a new world record top speed for a production car. The world top speed record for a production car has been held by the Bugatti Veyron (well, the Veyron Super Sport) at 258mph, but that’s a ‘limited’ speed for its production cars. The Veyron Super Sport actually hit 267.81mph at VW’s Ehra-Lessian track (it actually hit 269.8mph one way) but because production cars are limited to 258mph the higher speed doesn’t count.