Brian Wilson to perform at Petersen fundraiser

The annual Petersen Automotive Museum's fundraising event on May 7 promises to be fun, fun, fun when Beach Boy Brian Wilson and his band take the stage. The rock-'n'-roll icon is scheduled to play for an hour as part of the museum's largest charity event of the year, proceeds from which benefit the 501(c)(3) institution. The Beach Boys had a lot of car-themed hits, including "409," "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." (AutoWeek trivia: The Deuce Coupe featured on the cover of the album of the same name belonged to Clarence "Chili" Catallo, whose son, the successful and powerful advertising executive Curt Catallo, once was a lowly editorial assistant at AutoWeek).

Nissan LEAF EV: Euro sales start – UK in September

The Nissan Leaf goes on sale in the UK in September We recently reported that the Nissan Leaf has exceeded all expectations after going on sale in Japan and the US, managing to acquire 19,000 orders in the briefest of time – twice the planned annual rate of production. We half expected that news – great though it is for Nissan – to delay the launch of the Nissan Leaf in Europe. After all, if you’ve already taken orders for twice as many cars as you can produce in the first year you’d think you’d get production ramped up before you start taking more orders.

VW Golf R at 2009 Frankfurt motor show

By Ben Barry First Official Pictures 15 September 2009 10:30 We’ve seen it lapping the Nürburgring disguised as a 2.0-litre TDI, but at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show Volkwagen officially revealed the fastest ever production Golf: the Golf R. And it’s coming soon! British dealers will take orders in October, with the first owners snaffling the keys in January 2010.