Quickcar 3 Gauge Panel Op/wt/fp Black 61-6712 on 2040-parts.com

Pagani adds roadster to Zonda Cinque supercar lineup

Pagani is rounding out the lineup of the Zonda Cinque with a roadster that's just as light and powerful as its fixed-roof sibling. The roadster's top is stored under the hood, and the carbon-titanium chassis has been redesigned to compensate for the open-air configuration. Thankfully, the motor remains the same: a Mercedes-Benz AMG powerplant that makes 678 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque.

Next-gen Passat to offer hybrid and twin-turbo power

VOLKSWAGEN is going even more upmarket with the all-new version of the Passat, which is due to hit showrooms later this year. Soon buyers will be able to include a plug-in hybrid and an all-new 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel among their forecourt options, as VW goes chasing after its sister company Audi. Weight-saving measures have chopped up to 85kg from the new kid on a like-for-like basis, which helps achieve VW's stated efficiency boosts of 20% versus equivalent outgoing Passats.

Dakar Rally 2012 Day 2 update

The first major motorsports event of the year, the 2012 Dakar Rally, began its two-week trek across South America on Jan. 1. Four hundred and sixty-five vehicles (171 cars, 185 motorcycles, 33 quads and 76 trucks) with drivers representing 50 nationalities will attempt to cover 9,000 kilometers (more than 5,500 miles) over 14 days throughout Argentina, Chile, and Peru.