1992-1993 C4 Corvette Lt1 Engine Serpentine Drive Belt Tensioner 10186197 on 2040-parts.com

The craziest cars from the Frankfurt Motor Show

Frankfurt 2013 offered an automotive smorgasbord of technology, from out-there concepts like Vauxhall’s ‘condor-winged’ Monza to down to Earth next-gen production vehicles like Volkswagen’s e-Up! and e-Golf all-electric hatchback pairing. In the middle stood our next 10 cars.

Chevy Cruze Diesel: As torquey as a classic Camaro?

From the Department Of Silly Press Releases comes this missive from deep within the bowels of the Renaissance Center, Junior Wool-Pulling Division, located next to the Quizno's. "Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel Delivers Classic Muscle Car Torque," it reads, and while torque is the Great Equalizer of the continued championing of the diesel engine, comparing it to the sturm und drang of launching a 1972 Camaro Z28 from the parking lot of the Hendersonville, Tenn., Shoney's is tantamount to the sort of blasphemy that gets people excommunicated. For the record, the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel's 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine produces 264 lb-ft of torque, more than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI's at 236 lb-ft.

Aston Martin Rapide base price will be less than $200,000

Aston Martin has set the base price for the Rapide in the United States at $199,950. For just less than $200,000, you'll get a Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated memory seats and an active suspension system. Of course, there will be options that push the sticker price above the $200,000 mark.