Mercury Quicksilver Breaker-circuit. Part 88-11178a01. on 2040-parts.com

Mark Vaughn: We’ll always have Vegas

There were a few bare spots on the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show this year, spots that in previous years had been jammed sardine-like with myriad Taiwanese makers of Hello Kitty knockoff cell phone cozies and electronic barking dogs, but the show this year was nonetheless pretty well attended. Besides, for those working their way upstream through the aisles like so many digitally trained trout, the empty spots left by exhibitors that pulled out were like refreshing mountain meadows or little piazzas in crowded Italian cities. Show management stocked the open spots with cushy couches, too, on which many a jet-lagged showgoer snoozed.

Mazda MX-5 with 270hp launched by BBR

The MX-5 has always lacked one thing: power. But now, British tuner BBR is launching a turbocharged MX-5 that produces 270hp and is capable of reaching 60mph in less than 5 seconds. Based on a 2013 Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre Sport Tech Roadster Coupe, the BBR GT270 will reach 60mph in 4.9 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 150mph.

BMW M5 Concept: Official

BMW M5 Concept - now it's official It was a pretty safe bet that after we revealed the 2012 BMW M5 photos yesterday that BMW would react by revealing some official photos and a bit more information. And they have. So, ahead of the Shanghai Motor Show, we get official photos of the BMW M5 Concept which is – to all intents and purposes – the finished car.