2001-2005 Mercedes Benz 230 240 280 C 320 C Class Hood on 2040-parts.com

VW 'to announce its WRC entry' at Rally Sardinia

VW Polo R WRC (2011): Volkswagen enter the WRC High-level sources in an existing World Rally Championship team have told CAR that Volkswagen will formally announce its decision to enter the WRC at Rally Sardinia, which starts on 5 May 2011, somewhat stealing the thunder of Mini’s WRC debut. It’s believed that sister firm Skoda’s Fabia Intercontinental Rally Challenge car will be used as the first step in development. This car currently runs to the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated S2000 rules, so one of the first steps will be to switch to a 1.6-litre turbo.

Volkswagen has plans for yet another Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is on its way back, and this time around, it will be focused more on driving dynamics than on efforts to resurrect the past. Expected to appear in concept form at the Los Angeles auto show late this year, the second-generation version of the modern-day Beetle goes on sale in the United States in May 2011. A convertible with a fabric top will follow about a year later.

Autoweek in review: What you might have missed

The automotive racing world lost yet another character this week with the passing of “Big” Willie Robinson. He was 70 years old. May marks the 40-year anniversary of the BMW M division.