Vdo A2c53194872-s Tachometer 6,000 Rpm - Viewline Onyx on 2040-parts.com

McLaren MP4-12C tackles the N

Not to be left in the Nordschleife hot-lap dust, McLaren took to the German track as part of its testing of the all-wheel-drive MP4-12C, and of course, there's video. First we see the engineers making final adjustments before a quick montage of the MP4-12C testing across the world. After a few words from McLaren brass and test driver Rudi Adams, they hit the track.

VW Group planning 10-speed DSG, new powerful diesel engine & more plug-in hybrids

The end of the internal combustion engine is nigh, they say, as the world tries to clean up its environmental act and works towards a goal of electric motors to power our personal transport. But car makers are fighting that belief by extracting more power for less fuel from ICE engines, and there’s still a very long way to go before the ICE engine is consigned to the history books. Volkswagen has already reduced the fuel consumption of both their diesel and petrol engines by 30 per cent since 2000 and plan a further reduction of 15 per cent by 2020.

Toyota will push safety in ad blitz

Its image still bruised by driver complaints about unintended acceleration, Toyota Division has decided to revamp its marketing message and shift the focus to safety in a big way, top executives said last week. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s sales fell 34 percent in August and are down 1 percent for the year--it's the only major manufacturer with a decline for 2010. Executives admit consumers have doubts about the safety and quality of Toyota vehicles, so they are planning an advertising blitz to counter that perception.