Yamaha Wr500 Waverunner Cdi on 2040-parts.com

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.

Volkswagen plans 4 million cars from one platform

Volkswagen is pushing the global-platform concept to a level unprecedented in the auto industry, introducing a modular platform this summer that eventually will be the basis of microcars, sedans, crossovers and SUVs for its four largest brands. While automakers now share platforms across brands and sometimes even segments, the VW initiative that starts this summer is far more ambitious than anything seen so far. By 2017, some analysts estimate, the MQB platform that debuts with the Audi A3 eventually will be used in 4 million units a year--close to half of VW's annual production.

Camaro, Sonic fill the Chevrolet stand at SEMA

Custom Camaro and Sonic models lead the way at the Chevroletstand at SEMA this year, with a green electroluminescent Hot Wheels Camaro leading the pack. The paint on the Hot Wheels car was not actually plugged in to an electrical source to make it glow so bright, but it sure seemed like it was. The idea was to get the same metallic finish that shined on the first 1:64 scale Hot Wheels Camaro, one of the original 16 die-casts that debuted from Mattel in 1968.