Cadillac Bumper 1954 on 2040-parts.com

Smart to sell Nissan-built car in U.S. in 2011

The U.S. distributor of Smart cars says it has a tentative deal with Nissan to sell a small, five-door car built by the Japanese automaker under the Smart brand, beginning in late 2011. Smart USA Distributor LLC, which is owned by Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group, said the car would be powered by a gasoline engine and fit the B-segment size class.

The Toyota FT-1 concept would make a damn fine new Supra

The Detroit auto show is just getting started, and Toyota has kicked things off with a nice surprise: The racy FT-1 concept. A product of Toyota's Calty Design Research facility, the FT-1 concept shares some of the swoops and vents with the Lexus RC F. But there's a boatload of high-performance styling cues there, too: Take a quick glance and you might spot the front end of a Ferrari Enzo, the profile of the Nissan GT-R, the double-bubble roof of the SRT Viper/any number of Zagato creations and the oversized retractable rear wing of the McLaren P1.

Belgian Grand Prix (2011) RESULT

Belgian Grand Prix 2011 As always, Spa threw the weather in to the equation in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, with Button ending in 13th place on the grid after a rapidly drying track left the McLaren driver stranded in 13th place as others took advantage, despite being obviously quicker than most of the pack. Without the rain errors it could have been a McLaren front row, but Hamilton at least managed to show the McLarens were quick at Spa and joined Vettel on the front row with Webber in third and Massa fourth. But all the promise came to nothing for Hamilton as he reverted to type and drove like a petulant child – straight in to Kamui Kobayashi on lap thirteen – ending McLaren’s hopes of a win.