Allstar Performance Dial Knob Brake Proportioning Valve Street Hobby Stock Car on 2040-parts.com

2012 Volkswagen Beetle to launch with Black Turbo edition

Volkswagen is borrowing a page from sister company Porsche and will turn to the color black to sex up the soon-to-arrive 2012 VW Beetle--and to draw attention to a preorder program launching this year. The Beetle Black Turbo edition follows in the lineage of Porsche 911s augmented with Black editions, and the VW will sticker for $25,720, including shipping. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is the same as the regular turbo Beetle--and VW's hot hatch, the GTI.

Wannabe racers invited to test their mettle

THE AMAZING scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix have left an unfamiliar warm glow surrounding the pinnacle of motorsport, but at grass roots level would-be racers are being invited to show their potential. The Lets Race 2 Reality scheme, open for entries until the end of the month, will reward the best new racing driver in the country with an incredible Formula 3 race experience. The winner will receive a day’s testing in a Carlin Formula 3 car, complete with a dedicated team of mechanics, data engineer and race engineer.

Lexus LS (EU version)

The fifth-generation Lexus LS is the latest full-size luxury sedan to wear the badge since Toyota's premium brand was introduced in 1989. It continues the model's gentle evolution, this latest version reflecting the brand's L-finesse design language.  This is best seen in its inverted trapezoidal 'spindle' grille and L-shaped DRLs. The EU model measures in at 5,090mm long – 30mm longer than the outgoing model – while the wheelbase remains 2,970mm in length. The front and rear overhangs have increased by 10 and 20mm respectively.