1936 Buick Interior Sun Visor on 2040-parts.com

2012 Volkswagen Beetle to launch with Black Turbo edition

Volkswagen is borrowing a page from sister company Porsche and will turn to the color black to sex up the soon-to-arrive 2012 VW Beetle--and to draw attention to a preorder program launching this year. The Beetle Black Turbo edition follows in the lineage of Porsche 911s augmented with Black editions, and the VW will sticker for $25,720, including shipping. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is the same as the regular turbo Beetle--and VW's hot hatch, the GTI.

Snake surprise for garage mechanics

MECHANICS attempting to jump-start a car were given a shock when they found a snake under the bonnet. Garage workers in Kelty in Fife called out animal charity the Scottish SPCA after they discovered the 2ft (0.6m) corn snake in the engine of the Fiat Punto they were working on. The reptile, which has been named Punto, is now being looked after at the Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno.

Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati: The Fiat 500 Maserati homage

The Fiat 500 pays tribute to Maserati Fiat is launching a new special edition 500 at the Geneva Motor Show – the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati – a convertible Abarth 500. Almost three years ago Fiat produced a limited edition Abarth 500 that paid tribute to Ferrari – the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari – which cam with decent oomph, a bright red Ferrari paint job and an eye-watering price tag of £30k. Now Fiat feel it’s time to pay tribute to another marque in its portfolio – and relieve punters of a further slice of hard-earned – with the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati – this time a soft-top – arriving at the Geneva Motor Show next month.