Small Block Chevy Edelbrock Torker 2 Intake on 2040-parts.com

Honda Accord hybrid unintended-acceleration claim under review

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into whether some Honda hybrid vehicles are prone to unintended acceleration. The federal auto safety regulator said Monday it had agreed to look into a complaint stemming from a fatal July 2005 crash. The driver of a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid said she was driving over rumble strips on the side of a freeway when she tried to apply the brakes.

Corvette-powered Karmas coming in 2014

VL Automotive, a Detroit venture backed by former General Motors' vice chairman Bob Lutz, is moving ahead with plans to convert Fisker Karma from hybrid power to Corvette power. Lutz told Automotive News on Thursday that the company has bought 25 unsold Karmas and has settled a dispute with an Asian investor that prevented VL from accessing the codes that operate the Karma's infotainment system. "Without getting those codes, it was close to impossible to get a working car," Lutz said.

Vorsteiner dresses, tunes up the BMW 1M

Vorsteiner debuted its GTX-V 1M Program for the BMW 1M coupe. It features a front spoiler, rear diffuser, trunklid, exhaust and forged wheels. The front lip and trunklid are made from what Vorsteiner calls Autoclave Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber.