F0hz-18a160-a, Ford Absorber on 2040-parts.com

NHTSA unveils new safety ratings; BMW and Hyundai first to get five stars

The 2011 BMW 5-series and the Hyundai Sonata were the first two cars to achieve five-star ratings under NHTSA's revised safety ratings announced on Tuesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will rate a total of 24 cars, 20 SUVs, nine pickups and two vans for the 2011 model year. The federal agency has significantly modified its rating process and will now grade side-pole testing and crash-prevention technologies such as lane-departure warning and electronic stability control.

Gulf One Z06 tops $1 million at auction

An icon of 1960s racing, the Gulf One Corvette Z06 racer, was in familiar position last weekend at the Mecum Auction--first. The 1963 car sold for $1.05 million at the Kissimmee, Fla., event--doubling the price of a 1962 Mercedes 300 SL, which went for $525,000, not including the buyer’s premiums. The racer is based on a production Corvette Sting Ray.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Review (2012): 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive Style

We have the Hyundai i40 Estate in for review in the guise of the i40 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive Style Tourer. Even though we’ve become used to Hyundai’s offerings becoming more credible every year, the Hyundai i40 Tourer is a different kettle of fish altogether. It’s one thing producing ever more credible small budget cars – and even budget crossovers/SUVs – that become less budget and more competitive with each iteration, but throwing your hat in the ring to take on the Mondeo with the new i40 is a big jump.