2 3/8" X 5" Stainless Merge Collectors on 2040-parts.com

VW Pickup concept (2008): first official photos

By Chris Chilton First Official Pictures 24 September 2008 18:00 He’s designed Alfa Romeos, Audis and even a Lamborghini but now Walter de'Silva has gone all humanitarian and designed a pick-up.  VW’s first small flatbed since the Mk1 Golf-based Caddy will take on trucks like the Toyota Hilux and Mitusbishi L200 when it goes on sale late in 2009. It is, but not for long. This thinly veiled concept, called simply Pickup Concept, has been designed as a search and rescue vehicle for coastguards but essentially this is what badge-conscious UK builders will be driving in 2009. The new Volkswagen corporate face with its monobrow top grille and wide mouth is likely to be carried over mostly unchanged to the cars that will roll off the South African production line, as will the surprisingly stylish interior which features hooded instruments and Audi TT-style air vents. Mechanical details are sketchy but Volkswagen claims that engines will be common-rail diesels which rules out the old-tech 2.5 five pot that powers many of VW’s current commercials.

VW Golf Blue-e-Motion revealed

Germany's Transport Minister and VW's Development Director with the VW Golf Blue-e-Motion In a new take on the BlueMotion moniker Volkswagen has revealed the VW Golf Blue-e-Motion which is – you’ll never guess – an electric Golf. Quelle surprise. The Golf Blue-e-Motion is a foretaste of VW’s aims to launch the electric Golf on an unsuspecting public in 2013 and was revealed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (who managed not to get herself in the photo-op above).

One lap of the Web: A drive with Magnus and drifting an Jag XJ220

Unkempt Porsche trend-maker Magnus Walker's brand of customized 911 has the world buzzing. If the magazine covers and documentaries aren't enough, consider that one of his builds just sold for $302,000 at Gooding's Monterey Sale -- against a high estimate of $150,000. Pretty steep for a customized 911.