Polaris Xfr Snow Suit on 2040-parts.com

VW Scirocco GTS launches – but not in UK

There’s a new Scirocco available across Europe from this month – the VW Scirocco GTS – but it’s not coming to the UK. The GTS is more of a trim level than a stand-alone model and you can grab it with a variety of engines – 1.4 litre TSI, 2.0 litre TSI and 2.0 litre TDI – as the GTS trim just adds cosmetic tweaks to the Scirocco and nothing in the way of power or performance upgrades. Those cosmetic tweaks amount to  thumping great black stripes up the bonnet bordered by thinner red stripes (which all continues over the top and down the back of the GTS), red covers for the door mirrors, 18″ alloys, a spoiler at the back (nicked from the Scirocco R) and a more butch back bumper with diffuser.

Honda opens Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles

Honda inaugurated its new Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles last week, coinciding with the LA auto show's first press day. It's the third design studio for the Japanese manufacturer in the region and is poised to lead the development of Honda's advanced automobile design activity. The new studio is located in the heart of Downtown LA, which has been experiencing a resurgence in the past decade.

Record-setting Ferrari hydroplane heads for RM's Monaco auction

A record-setting Ferrari-powered 1953 hydroplane, ARNO XI, will cross the block in May at the RM Auctions event in Monaco. The hydroplane set the speed record for a boat of its size on Lake Iseo in northern Italy, running up to 150.19 mph. Designed and built by Achille Castoldi—a friend of Ferrari Grand Prix drivers Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi—convinced Enzo Ferrari to provide knowledge and technical assistance to help develop the world-record-holding boat.