Adjustable J-bar / Panhard Bar W/ 3/4" Rod Ends Modified Late Model Circle Track on 2040-parts.com

Mazda design chief Ikuo Maeda brings new meaning to zoom-zoom

Ikuo Maeda, the new design chief at Mazda Motor Corp., earned the nickname "Speedy" for his lead-footed driving on the race course and off. He may be the only standing auto executive to have had his license revoked--twice. It's only natural then that Maeda, who took the design reins last April, views himself as the rightful guardian of Mazda's zoom-zoom brand heritage.

Volkswagen Beetle R: Frankfurt debut planned?

2012 VW Beetle R - a Hot Beetle However hard they tried – and they did for a while – Volkswagen never managed to make the reborn VW Beetle anything more than a novelty; a girly car with a flower vase for girly drivers. That was enough to make the Beetle sell in almost respectable numbers in both North and South America, but it consigned VW’s retro effort to the novelty bin in Europe, where we tend to know a cynical marketing ploy from a real car. But Volkswagen seem intent on making the 212 VW Beetle rather more credible.

Exclusive -- Mercedes-Benz GT AMG spy shots

On Monday, we told you about the 911-fighting Mercedes-Benz GT AMG, which is scheduled to debut at the German Grand Prix in 2014. Today, we have fresh spy photos of the upcoming car. The two-seat coupe is codenamed C190 and will take the place of the bigger SLS AMG.