240z Front Valance (complete) on 2040-parts.com

Frankfurt 2011: VW Nils EV Go-Kart Video

VW Nils revealed at Frankfurt There have been quite a few of these very small, go-kart-style urban commuter cars cropping up of late, but perhaps the Volkswagen Nils is the most promising. The most promising because if – and it’s a very big if – commuters take to the idea of a grown-up version of a soap-box Kart with an engine for getting to work, the VW Nils will possibly offer the best combination of practicality, refinement and cost. Yes, there’s the Audi Urban Concept to consider, but that will be more expensive (there’s a reason Audi makes VW 40% of its profits), so if commuters do actually find appeal in this route then the Nils is probably the front-runner.

Cadillac may get future rear-drive hybrids

General Motors' two mode hybrid powertrain, used only in trucks, will migrate to rear-drive cars in the next generation, said Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations. Two likely candidates: Cadillacs, says consultant Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics in suburban Detroit. Last month, GM said it is developing an electric motor that is 25 percent smaller and 20 percent more powerful than the motor used in today's two mode hybrid full-sized trucks.

Tanner Foust jumps a Hot Wheels truck to new record at Indy

Before the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Team Hot Wheels yellow driver and three-time X Games gold medalist Tanner Foust broke the world record for distance jump in a four-wheeled vehicle. Foust dropped 10 stories down a life-size version of the iconic orange toy track and soared 332 feet through the air. Foust then unmasked himself--his identity had been a mystery up to that point, as shown in the teaser video we posted earlier this month.