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

Rhonda Renaissance Part 2: Paint vs. vinyl

We dispensed with the basics in Part 1 on Monday: There's a 1963 Pontiac StarChief in the parking garage of Autoweek HQ. It needs of a new coat of something for the summer, so let's explore some of the options confronting today's refinish customers, where candy paint is no longer the only game in town. Let's start with vinyl wraps: We've seen them, felt them and picked at them at shows and in shops.

Renault Alpine A110-50

As we reported earlier this week, the Renault Alpine A110-50 prototype will be shown at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. Designed by Yann Jarsalle and Concept and Show Car Director Axel Breun the A110-50 effectively relaunches the historic Alpine brand despite being essentially a reworked version of the Renault-branded DeZir concept unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. As well as the addition of various Alpine design cues – the stylized yellow spot lamp pods, central hood flute and blue and orange colorway – the car is built on the platform of the RenaultSport Megane Trophy racecar and so therefore requires cooling provisions for its mid-mounted engine.

2013 Facelift for almost entire Volvo range

Volvo has given the S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 a facelift for 2013 which will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor show. Only the V40 and XC90 remain unchanged. All the facelifted models get a wider-looking front end, smaller lights and more prominent lines, new bumpers and  tweaks to the cabin.