Vw Volkswagen Aircooled Beetle Bug Front Hood on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Peking to Paris Rally, classic car inspection guide and pointless cars

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- Join the Hooniverse debate as they ask: What's the dumbest car sold on the market today?

Porsche 911 GT3 R (2010) first pictures

This is the Porsche 911 GT3 R, a hardcore racer powered by a 4.0-litre flat six and designed to compete in international FIA GT3 race series come 2010. Yes. First there was the GT3, then the more powerful and wider-bodied GT3 RS, and then a Cup race version of that car.

Aston Martin Virage dropped – to be replaced by new DB9

Less than eighteen months since it debuted – and after just over 1,000 cars – Aston Martin is dropping the Virage. The Aston Martin Virage always seemed a bit of a stretch too far for Aston Martin, and so it has proved. After a lifespan of no more than eighteen months – and with just over 1000 cars built – Aston Martin has decided that there are just too few buyers who feel the Virage is enough of a step up from the DB9 to warrant the extra cost.