Dorman 7-132 Water Temperature Gauge on 2040-parts.com

GM begins Chevrolet Sonic production at suburban Detroit plant

General Motors Co. today launched production of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact at its Orion Township assembly plant in suburban Detroit. The Sonic will be available in dealerships this fall.

Ford improves simulators to help driver safety

Today's cars are loaded to the hilt with technology. Given modern vehicles' built-in opportunities for driver distraction, not to mention society's penchant for mobile-device use while motoring, it's a wonder we get home safely at all. To that end, Ford has upgraded its Virttex virtual-reality machine to study driver performance in the pursuit of safety devices and driver-aid development.

Ferrari 458 Speciale to debut at Frankfurt motor show

Update: Preview video added below, and yes, you can hear the car's engine -- barely -- through the thumping movie trailer-like music. A new Prancing Horse is set to go public at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show: Ferrari will use the event to introduce the 458 Speciale, which will join the 458 Italia and 458 Spider at the lower end of Ferrari's range. Visually, the 2,844 lb., mid-engined 458 Speciale doesn't depart too much from the 458 Italia, though the new model gets a more aggressive fascia and a massive hood duct that -- when coupled with an apparently F1-inspired interior -- hints at the no-nonsense sporting purpose of the car.