Polaris Carbides X-ii on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen working on new VR6 engine

Volkswagen is pushing ahead with development of a new narrow-angle V6 direct-injection gas engine, sources from the German carmaker's engineering headquarters based in Braunschweig reveal. Engineering for the new engine is being overseen by Volkswagen's new head of engine development, Fritz Eichler -- who in a previous position led the development of the current generation of Mercedes-Benz AMG powerplants -- continues with a swept volume of 3.0-liters and an unfashionable 15-degree cylinder bank angle. It has been conceived for transverse mounting.

London Motorexpo competition shows future EVs

London's 2012 Motorexpo show has showcased the work of the winners in its competition to design an electric vehicle of the future. The brief, to create a circa 2032 zero-emmission city car capable of transporting four adults and luggage, was won by Michael Vlcek, a first-year student at London's Royal College of Arts' (RCA) Vehicle Design department. Vehicles of the future Vlcek's proposal displayed a car with electric motors mounted in the wheel housings to maximise interior space, and a front-hinged opening to allow access via the rear of the car, where Vlcek positioned the rear lights on vertical vanes to improve aerodynamic stability.

Saturday night's all right at Barrett-Jackson auction

Auction company Barrett-Jackson has a long-standing tradition of selling cars with no reserve--meaning the car is sold to the highest bidder regardless of price--but a change in that policy saw several million-dollar sales Saturday night at the annual extravaganza in Scottsdale, Ariz. While most of the cars crossing the Barrett-Jackson auction block continue to be sold at no reserve, the auction giant offered up several classics with a reserve and the results were impressive. The top five sellers all eclipsed the magical million-dollar figure with the auction broadcast live on Speed TV.