Volkswagen Beetle, Headrest, 2008 on 2040-parts.com

VW 'to announce its WRC entry' at Rally Sardinia

VW Polo R WRC (2011): Volkswagen enter the WRC High-level sources in an existing World Rally Championship team have told CAR that Volkswagen will formally announce its decision to enter the WRC at Rally Sardinia, which starts on 5 May 2011, somewhat stealing the thunder of Mini’s WRC debut. It’s believed that sister firm Skoda’s Fabia Intercontinental Rally Challenge car will be used as the first step in development. This car currently runs to the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated S2000 rules, so one of the first steps will be to switch to a 1.6-litre turbo.

Kia K9 sedan, camouflaged Sportage spied testing

Kia was doing a bit of vehicle testing around Mammoth Lake, Calif., last weekend, and Autoweek reader Kristoffer Gjevre was there to capture the convoy. His photos show a camouflaged small SUV/ crossover and a completely undisguised K9 sedan backed up by Hyundai Santa Fe and Veloster support vehicles. Based on the roofline and A, B and C pillars, that small crossover appears to be a Kia Sportage -- and the heavy concealment at the front and rear of the vehicle suggest updated fascias may be in the works.

Peugeot SXC crossover concept Shanghai debut

The very sexy Peugeot SXC Concept It brings home how important – actually, crucial – the car market in China has become when you learn that car makers are building cars specifically for the Chinese market. Just last week we reported BMW, in collaboration with its Chinese partner Brilliance, has taken the already ‘Made for China’ LWB BMW 5-Series and turned it in to a 5-Series plug-in hybrid. A specific car for a specific market.