Marshall Instruments Mini Boost / Vac Gauge on 2040-parts.com

Volvo S60 R-Design & V60 R-Design launched

Volvo S60 R-Design Both the Volvo S60 and the Volvo V60 are new in 2010, and both illustrate that Volvos are no longer just safe, boring boxes. They’re actually quite stylish in a grown-up, subtle kind of way. But Volvo thinks there’s a market for their ’60s’ with bolt on go-faster bits, so we’re treated to the Volvo S60 R-Design and the V60 R-Design.

Porsche 911 Black Edition (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

The current Porsche 911 isn’t dead yet – this is the run-out Black Edition special. Just 1911 examples will ever be built, and it’s loaded with extras to keep 911 sales ticking over until the all-new version is unveiled later this year. Unlike the Carrera GTS, which is the most focussed (and brilliant) 911 this side of a Porsche Motorsport product, the Black Edition is based on the entry level Carrera.

Hennessey Venom GT hits new, unofficial, speed record (video)

The Hennessey Venom GT (pictured) hist 270.49mph on a NASA runway Top speed records for production cars is starting to seem pretty irrelevant as there’s almost nowhere an owner can ever hope to hit those record speeds. And the performance of cars like the new McLaren P1 – where  performance and handling are much more the focus than outright top speed – has added the the irrelevance. But that doesn’t stop some car makers aiming for the bragging rights of the world’s fastest production car, and John Hennessey and his Hennessey Venom GT are back with another claim on the title.