Seal Plain Enclosed E1515 B2 on 2040-parts.com

VW Golf R leaks ahead of Frankfurt

The 2010 VW Golf R with 265bhp and 4Motion It won’t surprise you to learn that VW has dropped the heavy and thirsty (though quick) 3.2 litre V6 in the last hot Golf in favour of the 2.0 litre turbo found in the Scirocco. This engine deliver 265 bhp and should give the Golf R a 0-60mph of around 6.3 seconds – or less with the DSG ‘box. The Golf R will also get VW’s 4Motion all wheel drive to add to the mix, and a raft of styling changes.

Consumer Reports releases 2013 reliability rankings

Japanese brands continue to dominate the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability rankings, while some European brands gained and Ford Motor Co. continued to rank near the bottom of the industry. Lexus, Toyota and Acura swept the top three spots in the 2013 rankings and Japanese brands took seven of the top 10 places.

Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon TI is spotted in metro Detroit

It's tough to say what a metro Detroit sighting of this manufacturer-plated Alfa Romeo 159 TI Sportwagon portends for the Italian automaker's long-anticipated return to the American market--probably nothing. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's plan to bring Alfa Romeo back to the United States features the sporty, limited-edition 4C coupe, the subcompact MiTo and the midsize Giulia, but not the out-of-production 159. Still, a domestic sighting of a brand-new Alfa Romeo is a rare enough occurrence that we're happy to share these photos without further comment.