Seal, Pinion Gear, P/n 2503294c1 on 2040-parts.com

VW Beetle R Concept revealed

VW Beetle R Concept arrives at Frankfurt We did speculate back in June that Volkswagen were planning on giving the new VW Beetle some butch credentials by endowing it with a new performance range-topper – the VW Beetle R. And today at Frankfurt the new hot Beetle takes a bow. VW are dubbing the Beetle R Concept, but it’s clear that they want the new Beetle to be perceived as more appealing to men as well as women; to those who enjoy the drive as well as to those who buy a car to make a style declaration.

Volkswagen hits back, weighs making a bid for Porsche

Volkswagen is considering an audacious reverse-takeover bid for its majority shareholder, Porsche, in a twist in the drawn-out struggle for control between the two German carmakers. The Volkswagen Group's supervisory board is said to be weighing the possibility of purchasing Porsche AG, in a move that would relieve its holding company, Porsche SE, of massive debt that industry analysts suggest the company may not be able to fund should the world's financial crisis drag on well into 2010--a scenario put forward this week by the International Monetary Fund. The secret plan emerged as shareholders were set to convene at Volkswagen's annual meeting on Thursday, and it comes after Porsche revealed that it is carrying some 9 billion euros ($11.73 billion) in debt, most of it owing to interest on loans taken out to purchase its 50.8 percent stake in VW.

Infiniti M35h Hybrid revealed

The Infiniti M35h Hybrid We’ve had the regular Infiniti M saloon launched recently and this month has seen the release of prices and specs for the Infiniti M30d, the much needed diesel version of the Infiniti M. Much needed because without it Infiniti are probably dead in the water in Europe. But this is 2010 and car makers are obsessed with all things green.