1949-1952 Pontiac Coupe Convertible Chieftain Deluxe Door Glass Tint on 2040-parts.com

Porsche is developing a new four-cylinder engine set to power entry-level model

High-ranking officials at Porsche's Weissach research and development center in Germany have confirmed that engineering work is progressing on a four-cylinder horizontally opposed gasoline engine, details of which were first revealed by Autoweek earlier this year. The new boxer unit--which is earmarked to power a new mid-engine, entry-level model that insiders describe as a spiritual successor to the iconic 550 Spyder--looks set to become an integral part of Porsche's future model plans. Insiders suggest it will also be offered on the third-generation Boxster and the second-generation Cayman later on in their respective model cycles.

Last summer of speed?

If you want to enjoy driving on the unlimited-speed German autobahn, you might want to get in gear. If the opposition Social Democratic Party wins in this September's elections, party leader Sigmar Gabriel promises to form a coalition with the Green Party -- and both say they'll limit autobahn speeds to 120 kmh (about 75 mph), the German publication Bild is reporting. Not so fast, says the SDP's actual candidate for German chancellor, Peer Steinbrueck, who said he saw “no reason” to reignite the long-running debate over autobahn speeds, Bild reported.

AC Cars and Zagato launch 378 GT Zagato

AC Cars, working in collaboration with Italian design house Zagato, has announced its new sports car, the AC 378 GT Zagato. The launch was revealed at last week's Geneva motor show, where the production version of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato – which was, in fact designed in-house by Aston Martin in the UK – was being displayed on the British carmaker's stand. The car is instantly recognizable as a Zagato-designed car, with minimalist, organic surfacing and key features such as the C-pillar/rear window crossover.