Mercruiser Alpha One (gen 2) 4.3 L, 3.7 L Upper Gearcase / Sterndrive (1.84: R) on 2040-parts.com

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Turbo version of Buick Verano priced at $29,990

The Buick Verano Turbo sedan will sticker at $29,990, including the $885 shipping charge, when it hits dealerships this fall. The Verano Turbo will use the same four-cylinder as the Buick Regal GS sedan but makes a shade less power at 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, it will get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg on the street and 31 mpg on the highway.

New Volvo XC40 heading for Paris debut?

New Volvo XC40 The Volvo XC40 is the next stage in Volvo’s XC adventure and it looks like it will debut – at least as a concept – at the Paris Motor Show. We’ve know for some time that Volvo are planning to extend their range of SUV come crossover vehicles, and a little brother for the XC60, XC70 and XC90 is the direction. We did think, until it became clear that Volvo’s new baby would be the V40 and not the V30, that the next instalment for the XC would be the XC30.