1972 Charger, Right Rear Marker Light on 2040-parts.com

Magna gets Vauxhall and Opel

Canadian parts maker Magna takes control of Opel and Vauxhall The German Government is to supply funding of €1.5 billion to help the new Opel/Vauxhall operation to finance the transition. The news hasn’t come a moment too soon, as the US Government had given GM only until Monday to resolve the issue before the likely bankruptcy of GM. The Opel/Vauxhall operation will now be ring-fenced from the insolvency of its former parent in the US and will become ana entity in its own right.

Video: Porsche's Michael Mauer and Mitja Borkert on the new Macan

Porsche style vice-president Michael Mauer has revealed how the new Macan's design was influenced by racecars. In this new video, Mauer and members of his design team explain some of the Macan's development and the team's desire to create "a true Porsche in each segment – a true sports car". Classic Porsche design cues were immediately obvious upon seeing the Macan in the metal in Tokyo and Los Angeles – including its rear and interior – and Mitja Borkert, director advanced design style, identifies other recognizable features.

Mercedes S63 gets new 5.5 litre V8

The Mercedes S63 AMG is the firts to get the new AMG 5.5 litre V8 Bi-Turbo Mercedes’ top end AMG engine has changed over the last few years. It’s gone from a 5.5 litre supercharged lump to the now ubiquitous 6.2 litre normally aspirated engine, which anomalously gets badged ’63′ throughout the cars that sit at the top of each of Mercedes big-engined ranges. But now we go back to the future with the return of a 5.5 litre V8 – admittedly a completely new engine (M571) – which this time round sports a pair of turbochargers and delivers 554 hp and 590lbs/ft of torque.