Precision Auto 512201 Rear Wheel Hub & Bearing-wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly on 2040-parts.com

Farewell Jim Marshall, 1936-2010: Legendary photographer and a true car guy

Jim Marshall--friend, rock photography legend and occasional AutoWeek contributor--died on March 24 in his sleep at the W Hotel in Manhattan. Marshall, 74, was scheduled to speak that night at the John Varvatos store in SoHo in New York, and work from his new book, Match Prints, was to be shown beginning on March 26 at Staley-Wise Gallery, also in SoHo. Marshall began his career in 1960, a time he used to say was "the beginning of something special." Boy, was he right.

VW to intro Passat BlueMotion Concept at Detroit auto show

While performance heads are anxiously awaiting the North American debut of the hot-heat Mk VII Golf R at the Detroit auto show, Volkswagen's Passat BlueMotion Concept offers never-before technology in the Yank/Canuck family sedan segment: a four-pot motor with cylinder deactivation. Based on the EA211 1.4L turbo motor we sampled last year in the Euro-market Audi A3 sedan, the Passat BlueMotion Concept's engine is capable of shutting down the middle two cylinders during cruise, and features the Jetta Hybrid's gearbox, a twin-clutch unit capable of decoupling from the engine during off-throttle coasting. In the Passat's application, the 1.4 puts out 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; VW suggests its highway fuel economy will stand at 42 mpg.

Maserati Kubang

Maserati today unveiled its new Kubang sport luxury SUV, the Italian brands's first foray into the segment. The Kubang, making its debut at the Frankfurt motor show, is said to be the forerunner of the future Maserati range. Previously revealed in concept form at the 2003 Detroit motor show, Maserati claims the production version of the Kubang maintains the main features of its concept precursor, such as the style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance. The manufacturer has for years been producing sedans, coupes and two or four-seater convertibles, but the Kubang is the first of its kind to be created by Maserati.