2015 Corvette Stingray will get an eight-speed automatic transmission

2015 Corvette Stingray buyers will have a new transmission option when they head to dealer lots next year: An eight-speed automatic that will supposedly weight less than the six-speed it replaces and boasting quicker shift times than the dual-clutch in the Porsche 911. Named the 8L90, this eight-speed will be built in Ohio and will also be found on the upcoming Corvette Z06. If the gearbox is capable of handling the 625 hp put down by that supercharged beast, we're sure it'll take on the regular Stingray's 455 hp without breaking a sweat.

Lexus CT 200h F Sport revealed

Lexus CT 200h F-Sport - almost as sport as the LFA in the background Just as we’re getting used to the idea that the Lexus CT 200h might not be quite as bad as we thought – although we are still appalled by the ‘eggs in a basket’ mentality of offering just a hybrid – along comes a model that shouts oxymoron – the Lexus CT 200h F Sport. In an effort to appeal to those who want make a ‘Sporty’ statement, Lexus has decided that there should be an F Sport version of the hybrid-only CT 200h. Lexus are keen to point  out that the CT 200h F Sport “…receives a number of visual and performance enhancements in keeping with Lexus’ F Sport model line-up”.

Aston Martin Rapide coming home

Aston Martin Rapide - homeward bound It took Aston Martin what seemed like forever to get their four-door supercar – the Aston Martin Rapide – in to production, and even then they didn’t build it themselves. When they were busy planning production of the Rapide the world’s economy was buoyant, credit was a piece of cake and Aston Martins were flying out of the showroom. But the new economic reality bit in 2008 and sales fell at Aston Martin, but by then the plan to get the Rapide built at Magna Steyr in Austria was unstoppable so, despite Aston Martin workers twiddling their thumbs as Magna Steyr built Rapides, there as nothing to be done.