1982 Yamaha Motorcycle Xj 1100 J Maxim Microfiche Parts Catalog Xj1100j on 2040-parts.com

2014 Volvo S80 grabs IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus+

The second-generation Volvo S80 has been with us since 2008, and just a year before its scheduled replacement with an all-new model it has managed to grab a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The S80 now joins its XC90, XC60, and S60 siblings in receiving this accolade, which was instituted just last year when the IIHS created a new type of crash test called the small overlap test. The small overlap test is designed to recreate a rather typical road accident scenario, one which hadn't been added to the roster of crash tests by most vehicle organizations.

From 'Made in China' to 'Designed in China'

Visitors to the recent Auto China in Beijing may have noticed an impressive new Chinese sports car – called Aculeus – on one of the smaller exhibitor stands. The concept car is the latest project undertaken by CH-Auto Technology Corporation – one of a growing number of automotive R&D service companies based in China that provides support to the OEMs. The company was established in August 2003 by Lu Qun, an engineer who originally trained at Tsinghua University and later specialized in engine development testing.

Driven: a week with a Chevrolet Volt

In Fall 2010, before the Volt went on sale in North America, we sampled an early build model and came away so impressed, we declared it the car for the digital age. Since then the car has received harsh criticism from the press and been outsold by the Nissan Leaf in the North American market. Given the unique powertrain, we felt longer exposure to the Volt was therefore in order, so on a recent trip to Michigan, we lived with one for five days.