Porsche 997 Rear Bumper on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Brazilian Volkswagens and unnecessary Volkswagens

-- Ever seen a Volkswagen SP2? It's a Brazil-only model made between 1972 and 1976 because, at the time, the Brazilian market was closed to imports. Just over 10,000 examples were made, and some have made their way to the U.S.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang gets more power, loses gas-guzzler tax

The 2011 version of the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang carries a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that weighs less, delivers more power and uses a unique spray-coating process that eliminates the need for cast-iron liners in the aluminum cylinder block. The 550-hp Shelby GT500 also loses something from the previous model--it's gas-guzzler tax. Ford says the new Shelby GT500 will deliver 23 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city.

Dacia won’t build a car smaller than the Sandero

The Dacia Sandero (pictured) will remain Dacia’s smallest model In austere times, budget buys sell. Which is why Dacia is having so much success with its compact Sandero and Duster SUV. With prices on the Sandero starting at just £5,995 and Duster SUV prices as little as £8,995 (although you’ll have to pay £10,995 for a 4WD version), car buyers are buying Dacias as quickly as Renault can build them, with sales in a European market that shrank by 7 per cent last year up by 18 per cent to 90,000 cars for Dacia.