2004-2006 Nissan Maxima Engine Cover on 2040-parts.com

'We just did it': The story of the Viper

With the public debut of the 2013 SRT Viper scheduled for the New York auto show, we've scoured the Autoweek archives to bring you some classic Viper stories from our past. For exclusive Viper Week content including the latest news as it happens, check out Autoweek.com/viperweek By Robert A. Lutz, originally published in Autoweek 10/5/98 The most famous Chrysler turnaround, the one fueled by the invention of the minivan and the K-car and supported by government loan guarantees, was followed by a second, less-celebrated escape from the brink of disaster.

Vauxhall planning City Car

The 2004 Opel TRIXX Concept With the world and his dog seemingly trying to squeeze in to smaller and smaller cars, it should come as no surprise that Vauxhall/Opel’s new boss in Europe – Nick Reilly – says that the number one priority for GM in Europe is a new City Car. After all, what was once considered as small as you need to go – the Corsa or the Agila – seems something of a heffalump compared to many of the city cars flooding in to our cities. So how far down the line are Vauxhall with their City Car plans?

Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg highway

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 140 hp and 136 lb-ft from the aluminum 2.0-liter engine used in the current-generation Focus.