One Lap of the Web: The Markchurian Candidate

-- When does a cartoonist become a short-track racer? When he's Bob Englehart of the Hartford Courant, and he writes a book about his childhood in and around Indiana, a childhood spent fixated on oval racers. Englehart, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his political cartooning, explores why America's youth are willing to risk their lives to drive in circles -- and why he himself is so addicted to it.

Saab 9-4X (2010): first official photos

Saab has taken the wraps off the long-awaited new 9-4X crossover. And when we say long-awaited, we mean heavily delayed; this Swedish crossover has been in the pipeline for years. Based heavily on a US-spec Cadillac SUV and built in Mexico, the 9-4X betrays its old-school General Motors roots: the 296bhp 2.8-litre V6 petrol present from the Insignia is present and correct, allied to Saab’s own XWD four-wheel drive system.

Lamborghini Veneno roadster leaked in pictures

The insane Lamborghini Veneno has spawned a roadster version, if Internet rumors and pictures are to be believed. Rumors of the roadster surfaced back in July, when CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Car and Driver that a convertible Veneno will be produced and sold at price near $4.5 million. We're hearing that it may actually carry a price tag of around $5.3 million.