16 Lexus Nx300h #1272 Ev Battery Electric Vehicle Hybrid Motor Power G9280-48100 on 2040-parts.com

Ken Block signs for Ford and the WRC

Ken Block – who became a YouTube sensation with his gymkhana stunt series ¬– has ended months of speculation by confirming he’ll compete in the 2010 World Rally Championship – switching his Subaru Impreza for a Ford Focus, while he'll also rally a Fiesta in the US. The Monster energy drink-backed deal will form a key part of Ford’s plan to market its hatches in America, and follows last year’s Pikes Peak Fiesta. It’s a tentative start for Block, who’ll be competing in select rounds of the WRC championship – Mexico is believed to be the first – to hone his skills.

More Lamborghini Aventador video goodness: Roman holiday

Hot on the heels of its apocalyptic drive video, the brand-new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 once again graces us with its presence in two new videos highlighting the sights of Rome and the Italian countryside. Not to be shown up by world-famous architecture and history, the new 700-hp $379,700 supercar casts a striking contrast against storied Italian landmarks as it shows its prowess in both city and country settings. The first video shows a spirited jaunt through Rome, where two Aventadors look perfectly at home.

New Volvo V40 R-Design. UPDATED

We have the first photos of Volvo’s sporty take on the new V40 – the Volvo V40 R Design – ahead of a debut at the Paris Motor Show. Update: Volvo has now caught up with this story, so we’ve added a few more photos and a video. The V40 R-Design will be available as an option across all the V40′s range of engines but the Sport suspension still remains an option, not standard.