20x9 Ballistic 814 Jester, (8x170mm), (8x6.7in), (+12mm), (814290867+12fb) on 2040-parts.com

U.S. car sales surge 19 percent in May

All major automakers except Toyota reported double-digit U.S. sales gains in May, as the light-vehicle sales rate hit its highest level since December. Sales rose 19 percent from May 2009, marking the eighth-straight monthly increase, the longest such streak since June 2000, according to Bloomberg Data.

Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Shelby GT500, Camaro ZL1 and a length of empty asphalt

A few weeks ago, we were given a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Chevy Camaro ZL1. Every automotive media outlet on the planet has compared these two cars over and over again since the 2013 GT500 joined the ZL1 on the market earlier this year. Here's a summary of those hundreds of comparison tests: The Camaro handles better and the Mustang is faster in a straight line.