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

More than a (gull)wing and a prayer

They make up just six percent of Mercedes car sales in the United States—but nothing preserves and proliferates the top-shelf, seductive image of a Benz like a sports car. This is a point that's been driven home to me in a wide array of circumstances this year: Mercedes sports cars are still rock stars. I'll admit, I've often been a skeptic.

Jaguar XFR-S – tease take 2

The Jaguar XFR-S – a more powerful version of the XFR – will debut tomorrow at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but we get a second tease first. Jaguar’s punt at making the now ageing XFR credible against the new BMW M5 – the Jaguar XFR-S – is getting its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show tomorrow, but ahead of that full reveal Jaguar is teasing interest with its second teaser photo of the most powerful saloon they’ve ever built. Last week we got a front view of the XFR-S with its more aggressive nose (and Jaguar’s favourite ‘Speedy’ blue paint job) and this week we get to see the thumping great carbon fibre rear wing Jaguar has bolted on the back of the XFR-S.

VW to unveil Beetle Dune concept at Detroit Auto Show

The jury is out as to whether Volkswagen's Beetle Dune concept is more Frank Herbert or Bruce Meyers. Equipped with all mod cons, it’s a far cry from the simple, tough desert-race-inspired Bugs that popped up like aggro sandworms during the 1970s. On the other hand, it's still got four gasoline-burning cylinders and two-wheel drive.