87 Mercury Marine Mercruiser 5.7 L 350 Gm V8 Boat Engine Crankshaft Crank Shaft on 2040-parts.com

Some hybrids are not a green as they seem, interest group says

Car buyers who think they are helping the planet by choosing a hybrid vehicle to aid in cutting emissions don't always get the biggest bang for their buck, according to an environmental interest group. A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that some hybrids come at a much higher price tag than their similarly equipped, conventional-powertrain counterparts, yet offer little in the way of environmental gain. These not-so-green hybrids compromise their value or eco-friendliness in a variety of ways.

2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 loads up with power, and snakeskin leather

Fortified with snakeskin interior leather accents and 22-inch rollers, the Harley-Davidson edition of the Ford F-150 returns for 2012. A white platinum tri-coat is also added for the new model year. Power comes from the 6.2-liter V8 rated at 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque.

Brazilian VW design director Luiz Veiga celebrates the Beetle in art exhibition

Earlier this month ‘Luiz Veiga: Tempos de Fusca' (Beetle Times) opened at the small OMA gallery in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. This exhibition proves not only a celebration of the Volkswagen icon, but also an opportunity to learn a little more about one of its exhibitors – Volkswagen Brazil's design director Luiz Veiga. Car Design News attended the opening at OMA – located not far from the VW plant – to talk with Veiga about art and design.