Yamaha 40hp 4 Stroke 3 Cylinder, 67c-44553-00-4d Cover, Lower Mount 25hp-60hp on 2040-parts.com

Shelby American considers bringing back rent-a-racer Mustangs

Shelby American is considering resurrecting its “rent-a-racer” program that offers upgraded Mustang GTs for enthusiast-oriented consumers, AutoWeek has learned. Likely timed to mark the storied company's 50th anniversary, the program could launch as early as next spring. The cars would be offered in two traditional configurations: black and gold and white and gold.

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

New Aston Martin DBS WON’T keep the ‘DBS’ badge

The replacement for the Aston Martin DBS (right) will look much like the One-77 (left) at the back The revised Aston Martin DBS – due to arrive later in 2012 – will take many styling cues from the One-77 and get a new name. Aston Martin are busy working on an updated DBS (which is why we’re about to get the DBS Ultimate Edition) and are aiming for a reveal by the Paris Motor Show in September. But this isn’t going to be just a facelift for the DBS.