Freestar K&n Air Filters - 33-2321 on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2012) the Vantage S-inspired upgrade

This is Aston Martin’s new V8 Vantage, with a new gearbox, styling tweaks and chassis upgrades. You might think it looks little different than before – and that’s no bad thing – but Aston Martin claims the updates amount to ‘most comprehensive programme of enhancements’ since the 4.7-litre version of the V8 Vantage was launched in 2008. The new Aston Martin V8 Vantage will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March 2012, just in time to distract potential customers away from the new Porsche 911.  So what’s new about the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage?

Lotus Elise S Cup R poised for US consumption

Lotus can’t sell its road cars in North America anymore (dang safety regulations!), but that won’t stop them from sending some hardcore track vehicles here for the true enthusiasts. Enter the Lotus Elise S Cup R. The Cup R variant of the Elise sports a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 217 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque with help from a Magnuson R900 supercharger.

BMW 135is for the US only. But you can have much the same in the UK.

BMW 135is - US only BMW is not taking the new M135i to the US but has instead announced the BMW 135is Coupe and Convertible for the US only. There must be logic to BMW’s decision to badge a new 1 Series M135i for the UK and Europe and then add a new model in the US – the 135is Coupe – that actually has more power but no ‘M’ moniker. But that logic does escape us.