Model A Ford Cylinder Timing Gear Side Cover 1928-1931 on 2040-parts.com

Feds look at Toyota electronics as source of accelerator defects

The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into whether Toyota Motor Corp.'s problems with unintended acceleration can be traced to defects in the electrical controls rather than just the mechanical problems cited by the automaker, a Transportation official said Tuesday. “We're not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT gets more letters, power

Two additional letters will spell more power for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The supercar will be named the SLS AMG GT for the next model year, which is meant to call attention to the light freshening that the glamorous two-seater will receive when it goes on sale in mid-November. Output grows to 583 hp from the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, up from 563 hp in today's car.

Who's Where: Christopher Reitz appointed Director of Design at Alfa Romeo

Christopher Reitz has been appointed to the top job at Alfa Romeo, replacing Frank Stephenson as Director of Design. A relative of Wolfgang Porsche, Christopher Reitz graduated from Art Center Europe in Switzerland and began his career at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg in 1993. Reitz joined Audi in Ingolstadt from 1996 to 1998, where he was in charge of Advance Design.