Arc Rt-359a Transponder P/n 41420-1114 on 2040-parts.com

Local Motors Announces Texas Competition

New American car company Local Motors has announced the Texas Motors competition, the 19th design contest initiated by the Boston based start-up company. The deadline for submissions is February 10, 2010. The brief, which asks entrants to design a dynamic and capable hunting vehicle for the gamers of the largest US state, stipulates that the vehicle should be a ready-made solution for hunters of every variety, whether hunting stags or fowl.

Audi readying new crossover to rival the BMW X6

Audi has kicked off development of a new performance-orientated crossover model to directly counter the BMW X6. Set to be called the Q6 when it reaches North American showrooms, the five-seat crossover is rumored to be based around the same all-wheel-drive underpinnings as the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne, both of which use a short-wheelbase version of the Volkswagen Group's so-called Colorado platform that in long-wheelbase guise is also used in the Audi Q7. Nothing has been made official, but in an interview with the German media at the Geneva motor show, Audi boss Rupert Stadler alluded to the crossover, saying, “We can imagine a model between the Q5 and the Q7 .

One Lap of the Web: Cozy Coupes and '80s ATVs

-- Bill Simpson is a legend in the world of motorsports -- so much so that it might have taken you a moment to realize that there is a real Simpson behind those Simpson helmets. After 40 years spent saving the lives of drivers everywhere, a few years ago Simpson had a chance encounter with then-Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach Tom Moore. So he decided to tackle (heh, punny!) the world of youth football with carbon-fiber and Kevlar helmets that weigh less than 2 pounds and have already started reducing concussions in high school games.