Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

VW Race Touareg 3 (2011) first pictures

You might usually associate the Volkswagen Touareg with school-run mums whose furthest foray off-road is up the kerb and onto a wet field – this is something different, this is the new VW Race Touareg 3. That there is, and it’s the Race Touareg 2 that’s taken the chequered flag at the last two Dakar rallies, becoming the first diesel-powered winner in 2009. And after 2010’s 1-2-3 finish, the VW board decided it was onto a good thing and commissioned Volkswagen Motorsport to update its Touareg racer for the January 2011 race.

Ownership costs of traditional versus alternative fuel vehicles

As gas prices remain high, and an increasing number of automakers roll out plug-in hybrid cars and full-electric vehicles, it's becoming easier to be tantalized with the idea of driving right past the gas station and simply "plugging in." The debate ensues when it comes to cost: These alternative fuel vehicles mean a larger outlay of cash at the onset, but the long-term fuel savings could make the purchase worthwhile. To help straighten out this numbers game, we use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts. For each scenario, we assumed that our hypothetical owner was able to get the full $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 state tax credit, such as is available in California.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept

Lamborghini revealed the hugely anticipated Sesto Elemento concept at the 2010 Paris motor show. Based on the Gallardo supercar, the Sesto Elemento (six elements in the Italian sports car maker's native tongue) is a technological marvel, created entirely in carbon fiber to bring the vehicle's overall weight down to less than 1000kg. Read our opinions of the Sesto Elemento concept in our 2010 Paris Motor Show Highlights, and see the photo gallery (which includes all six teaser photos) by clicking the link below.