1974-76 Elderado Heater/ac Vents on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.

One Lap of the Web: The fabulous Lockheed Buick Electra, and how to change a tire

-- Did you know Zagato once designed some concept cars for Volvo? Ah, there's nothing more romantic than that blend of Italian passion and Swedish melancholic efficiency. The first car came about in 1969 and was named the GTZ, and its obscurity might owe to being hidden in favor of more popular Zagato GTZs.

Hennessey Performance boosts McLaren MP4-12C

Hennessey Performance Engineering has a new power package for the McLaren MP4-12C. For $19,500 (plus the base price of the car, obviously) it pushes output to 704 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 88 hp and 96 lb-ft.