Polaris 800 Switchback (axys) Straightline Performance Black Y-pipe - 132-121 on 2040-parts.com

The Viper Lives!

The Dodge Viper has been saved by Fiat and will continue in production. The real problems for GM and Chrysler were their appalling high-volume cars, stuck at least a decade behind Europe in both styling and efficiency, they were an accident waiting to happen. And the meltdown in car sales worldwide, coupled with the jump in gas prices in the US (which has now gone), signalled the end of the old ways.

Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

Goodwood Festival of Speed (2013) the cars of GFoS

If you’re one of the 150,000 expected visitors at Goodwood for the Festival of Speed this weekend, you’ll be among the first to see a wealth of new performance cars in action on Lord March’s drive. Here’s the full round up of confirmed attendees with links to CAR’s full stories – which are you most excited to see (and hear)? Audi’s Le Mans-winning R18 E-tron Quattro will be driven up the hill by 2013 race winner Allan McNish – check out his pre-Le Mans interview with CAR here.