Driveshaft Coupler 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series Platinum# 2935406 on 2040-parts.com

Ariel's Atom returns faster than ever

BRITISH firm Ariel has announced an upgraded version of its sensational Atom sportscar that is faster than ever, making it one of the quickest cars on sale today. The Atom 3.5R showcases a number of upgrades over the outgoing model which contribute to the sensational performance. The 2.0-litre Honda V-TEC engine has had its supercharger revised to give 350bhp and over 240lb.ft of torque, while the gearbox is now a six-speed paddleshift system that can manage five downshifts in less than a second.

2013 Audi S3 – Paris debut

Audi has revealed the new S3 with a 296bhp 2.0 litre direct injection engine which will debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The new Audi S3 – which will bow in at next week’s 2012 Paris Motor Sow – will join the new 5-door A3 Sportback on Audi’s stand at Paris and lay down a firm marker for Audi’s share of the market. The new S3 gets a new 2.0 litre direct injection engine - part of Audi’s EA888 engine range – to go with its new underpinning using the same MQB platform as the latest A3 range, making the new S3 both lighter and more powerful.

Keep Cruisin', Marv Spector

For the last 30 years or so, you could belly up to the service counter at Specter Off Road in scorching Chatsworth, Calif., deep in the Valley, underneath the red-and-white arrow that stretches the length of the squat stucco building. You'd first have to stroll past the long and dark row of dizzying Toyota Land Cruisers -- Japanese fire trucks, FJ60s with roof-mounted machine guns and a propane-powered 1973 Baja 1000 champion. Past the glass cases of old photos and model kits and RC cars from Japan.