1998 Corvette Tri-fold Sales Brochure on 2040-parts.com

Transmissions gone wild!

If you've been car shopping recently, or just paying attention to Autoweek car reviews, you've noticed that the six-speed automatic -- de rigueur as recently as a year ago -- suddenly has ratio envy. The new hotness? Eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions.

Noble M600 Roadster Revealed – but you can’t have one

Noble Automotive has released an image of a convertible M600, but has no plans to produce it at present. The Noble M600 is an impressive supercar from one of the UK’s most interesting ‘Garden Shed’ supercar builders, even if it’s gestation period seems to have been ten times that of an elephant. The M600 ‘arrived’ in 2009 ready to rock and roll, or so we thought, but then seemed to disappear again.

Companies work with racing technology to improve child safety seats

The same technology that saved IndyCar driver Simona De Silvestro from serious injury in a recent crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway might soon be helping protect children in car seats. Dorel Juvenile Group, a car-seat manufacturer, is partnering with racing-product developers at Bald Spot Sports to use cockpit material that insulates racers from crashes in child-safety technology. Dorel makes child-safety items under brand names such as Safety 1st and Cosco.