Bmw E46 M3 01-06 Sequential Manual Gearbox Smg Transmission on 2040-parts.com

Skoda Fabia vRS 2000 (an open-topped vRS) at Worthersee

Skoda Fabia vRS 2000 Concept Yes, it’s Wörthersee Tour time again. Which explains why we have an OTT Skoda on display - the Skoda Fabia vRS 2000. Finished in the same striking green as the production Skoda Fabia vRS, the vRS 2000 is a concept car put together just for the GTI-Treffen event in Worthersee and is based on the Fabia vRS 2000 rally car and, as Skoda boss said, Worthersee “…is a welcome opportunity for us to show off our sports models and make sure that everyone knows that Škoda really has something to offer here.” It would have been hard to believe even just a few years ago that a car like the vRS 200 could ever come out of Skoda, but we’re now at the point where, if you can set aside badge snobbery, Skoda often has more to offer than parent VW.

Stop-Start Freelander on the way

Land Rover has announced that it will be introducing stop-start technology on its Freelander range from May 2009, thus saving around 8% on the Co2 emissions, and taking the Freelander down a group on VED, which should help move a few more Freelanders off forecourts next year. The technology for the stop-start was developed in-house, with a new engine management system coming from Bosch and an uprated starter from Denso. The stop-start option will be available on the 2.2 TD4, which accounts for nearly half of UK sales.

JUNKER KEEPER: Federal database tracks totaled vehicles, clunkers

First, it was the hurricane-damaged used cars flooding the market. Now, it’s the clunkers turned in--and supposedly junked--as part of the federal Cars Allowance Rebate System “cash for clunkers” program. Following Hurricane Katrina, cars declared as total losses in one state were able to get clean titles in other states and were resold to unsuspecting consumers.