Tilton 77-series Master Cylinder 77-875 on 2040-parts.com

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.

Ferraris and more at RM's Monaco Auction

The upcoming RM Auctions event in Monaco will feature no fewer than 22 Ferraris, spanning 60 years of production. Classic cars and a huge selection of Italian bikes will cross the block May 11 and 12 at the Grimaldi Forum. Three Prancing Horses in particular will headline the event, which is held concurrently with the Monaco Grand Prix.

Mazda Hakaze concept: first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 05 February 2007 12:02 Mazda Hakaze: the lowdown Mazda claims to have reinvented the 4x4 with this new banana-coloured Hakaze concept at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It's a crossover with a twist, mixing the best bits of coupes, roadsters and SUVs, apparently. It's also, worryingly, designed to appeal to a very definite demographic: kite surfers aged between 30 and 40.