Denso Den 3137 - Spark Plug - Copper - Oe Type on 2040-parts.com

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Lamborghini LP700-4 (2011): the rolling chassis

Lamborghini continues the long drip-feed on the new V12 supercar replacement for the Murcielago with this first picture of the carbonfibre rolling chassis. In this week's edition of motor show teaser photography, Lamborghini has started with a naked LP700-4 chassis, prior to next week's reveal of the fully clothed new V12 supercar.  You can clearly see the new pushrod suspension, the carbonfibre chassis, subframes snd the suitably enormous wheel and tyre package.    None at this point. CAR's Gavin Green has driven one of the prototypes (see the January 2011 edition) but it will be at next week's 2011 Geneva motor show where the world gets its first clear look at the new Lamborghini.

2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 roadster to be auctioned at Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance

The just-released 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 roadster hasn't been on the market for long, but there's already a 15-month wait for the drop-top supercar. Fortunately, if you've got more cash than patience, there's a way to jump ahead in line: An Aventador Roadster will be auctioned during the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance gala dinner on Feb. 23.