1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am T3/turbo V8 301 Ci Indy 500 Imp Info/specs/photo on 2040-parts.com

GM expands brake-override safety feature

General Motors is significantly expanding the use of a brake-override safety feature in its cars through the end of 2012. GM announced on Monday that it will add the software, which it also calls “enhanced smart-pedal technology,” in all of its passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control. The change will reduce power to the engine when both the throttle and brakes are pressed at the same time.

BMW M550d xDrive confirmed. X5 M50d & X6 M50d likely

BMW M550d xDrive arriving March 2012 (M5 pictured) We’ve been talking about the BMW triple-turbo diesel for a long time. As far back as Spring 2009 we reported BMW were working on a triple-turbo diesel, which we expected to see the light of day first in the BMW X5. It took more than two years for BMW to catch up with our story on the triple-turbo diesel, but we finally had BMW man  Brian Watts confirming the new diesel, but that it would turn up as the M550d.

Audi Urban Concept preview

Following this past weekend's spy shots of the new urban concept caught on a film set in Berlin, Audi has released a set of sketches of the all-new 1+1-seat vehicle set for its global unveiling in Frankfurt. Claimed to combine the ‘elements of a racing car, a fun car and an urban car' the concept exploits new lightweight manufacturing processes. Its cockpit is made from carbonfiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and it features free-standing, low-rolling resistance 21-inch wheels with protective plates.