Dorman H38840 Brake Hose, Rear-brake Hose 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.

2014 Camaro Z/28 boasts slick aero tricks

When the Chevy Camaro Z/28 was unveiled last spring at the New York auto show, we were told how Chevy took stuff out to lighten the car. Trunk carpet and interior sound-deadening material are jettisoned, the sound system has but one speaker, the rear glass is thinner and so on. Despite the decontenting, it turns out the Z/28 is no stripper, at least in terms of aero technology: Chevrolet says the 2014 Camaro Z/28 manages airflow “like few other production vehicles, generating downforce like a race car.” Delving into the hyperbole reveals numerous exterior modifications designed to improve not just aerodynamics, but powertrain and brake-system cooling, as well.

2014 Mercedes S65 AMG spied undisguised (video)

The 2014 Mercedes S65 AMG (Pictured) spied on video ahead of an LA debut We’ve already had the new Mercedes S-Class revealed and its everyday performance version – the new Mercedes S63 AMG – has been unveiled too. But there’s one more S-Class to come – the 2014 Mercedes S65 AMG. We’re expecting the S65 AMG to arrive at the Los Angeles Auto Show later in 2013, but it looks like Mercedes are readying some promotional videos for their new range-topping powerplant in the S65, with a completely undisguised car caught on video.