Honda 50130-881-000 Rubber, Setting (upper) (honda Code 0498949). on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin Virage dropped – to be replaced by new DB9

Less than eighteen months since it debuted – and after just over 1,000 cars – Aston Martin is dropping the Virage. The Aston Martin Virage always seemed a bit of a stretch too far for Aston Martin, and so it has proved. After a lifespan of no more than eighteen months – and with just over 1000 cars built – Aston Martin has decided that there are just too few buyers who feel the Virage is enough of a step up from the DB9 to warrant the extra cost.

Concept Car of the Week: BMW Spicup (1969)

The oddly named Spicup, standing for Spider and Coupé, was first presented at the 1969 Geneva Motor Show. Carozzeria Bertone had previous collaborations with BMW such as the 3200CS coupe by Giugiaro. The friendship between Nuccio Bertone and Willhelm Hoffmeister, head of bodywork construction at BMW, must have also contributed to the brand agreeing to provide an early pre-production of the E3 generation 2500 saloon as a base for the concept.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale tweaked for 2013

Maserati has updated its most hardcore car for 2013. The new GranTurismo MC Stradale has more power and more extrovert styling than the outgoing car, and double the seat count too: Maserati is putting back seats back into the hottest GranTurismo. Isn't the MC Stradale supposed to be the lightweight, track-ready GranTurismo?