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Small boys all love them: the Hot wheels toys that generations of kids have played with.

Hot Wheels' latest is called the Double Loop track, where two miniature cars race each towards a daring loop.

The toy inspired the big boys from the Hot Wheels team to try it out in the real world. On June 30th, during the Los Angeles X Games, they will see if they can reproduce the Double Loop track in the real world, and break a world record with this daring stunt.

The two drivers will race each other to a vertical loop - 6-storey high -, accelerating over 83 km/h and suffering 7G at the top of the loop; forces comparable to what fight plane pilots experience.

The experiment will be aired on both ABC and ESPN.

Photo: Hot Wheels

From GMM

If the top teams are to be believed, engineers up and down pitlane are groping in the dark to solve the mysteries of Pirelli's 2012 tire.

But the sport's Italian supplier has hinted that is just an excuse, as midfield teams like Sauber have become regular podium contenders so far this year.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko admits: "Sauber seems to understand them (the tires) almost all of the time."

Peter Sauber, the modest Swiss team's founder and boss, insists it has not been a case of unravelling a Pirelli mystery.

"Put is this way," he told Blick newspaper. "We understand the car.

"Basically, we know how to use the tires. Except in Bahrain, where it was very hot, we've had no big problems."

The sun is also out in Valencia, but Sauber insists it is presumptuous in any conditions to say his team is in a position to push for wins.

But Mexican Sergio Perez, who has been on the podium twice so far in 2012, has another plan.

"I want more," he answered when asked about his second taste of 2012 champagne in Canada recently.

"If you can finish second and third, the next goal must be victory."

History/Description: Bringing Volkswagen's presence into the world of so-called four-door coupes, the Volkswagen Passat CC packed four doors onto a low-slung, sleek body that wouldn't look out of place on a sports coupe. Designed for elegance and an upscale, sophisticated look, the Passat CC (renamed CC from the 2012 model year) was an affordable head-turner.

2009 Volkswagen Passat CC (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Power came from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower, or a 3.6L V6 wih 280. The four-cylinder 2.0T model came in front-wheel drive format only, and with manual or automated DSG transmission choices. The V6 could be teamed only with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. A TDI version of the CC was not available.

Feature content included heated leather seats, a sunroof, navigation, xenon headlights, Bluetooth connectivity and plenty more. Note that many used CC models in the marketplace are four-seaters, though Volkswagen made a five-seat model available via an optional three-person rear bench seat.

Note that the Passat was also available in a more traditional sedan or station wagon model for shoppers requiring something more mainstream.

What Owners Like: CC owners typically rave about a comfortable interior, plenty of creature comforts, a high-dollar feel and a smooth, quiet ride. A sense of pride, expensive looks and styling are also highly rated, and most owners say performance is more than adequate, especially with the V6 engine on board.

What Owners Dislike: Some owners wish for more rear-seat room, better outward visibility and a fully-functional moonroof, as the factory unit only tilts and doesn't slide. Finally, taller drivers wish for more headroom.

Common Issues: When test driving a Passat CC, a few checks should be considered mandatory. Ensure the air conditioner works as expected, and triple-check all interior electronics, including the windows, motorized seats, sunroof and stereo/navigation system.

2010 Volkswagen Passat CC (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Continue reading 2009-2012 Volkswagen Passat CC Pre-Owned

From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo pointed his finger at Pirelli on Saturday as he slammed an "odd" qualifying session at Valencia.

A surprise and rare visitor in the Ferrari garage, team president Montezemolo was bitterly disappointed after neither F2012 made the Q3 cut.

"We were fastest and then everything changed when we put on the soft tyres," he told Italian broadcaster Rai.

"We need to take care that this does not become a tire manufacturing championship," Montezemolo warned.

Fernando Alonso, however, insisted that the main problem in his native Spain was that the red car was simply "not fast enough".

But there were others casting a wary glance in Pirelli's direction, including Jenson Button, who qualified just ninth despite earlier looking to have emerged from his performance slump.

"All the way through the pace was very good, and then we put on a new set at the end, came out of the pits and turned into turn one and I had no front grip," said the McLaren driver.

"I don't know why that is, but it's something I've definitely got to find out about because I don't think the circuit changed that much between runs."

Former grand prix driver Taki Inoue sounded positively unimpressed.

"Another different lottery winner can be expected at Valencia. 2012 seems to be Pirelli gambling. This is not F1 any more. Boring!" the Japanese wrote on Twitter.

Force India boss Vijay Mallya disagrees completely.

"Formula one has become so very competitive, exciting and unpredictable," the Indian billionaire said after qualifying. "Not because of the genius engineers in teams but the Pirelli tyres!"

From GMM

As F1's 'silly season' shifts into a high gear in Valencia, the cameras snapped with glee on Friday when Sergio Perez and his manager Jaume Sallares walked calmly into Ferrari's hot-red motor home.

Mexican Perez, of course - whilst undoubtedly linked with Felipe Massa's race cockpit for 2013 - is also the cream of Ferrari's driver development programme.

So Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni was able to joke when he answered to Spain's AS newspaper: "He has signed ... he has come to sign."

Another rumour in the Valencia paddock is that Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen is also a candidate to replace Massa.

"At the moment I'm hearing that Perez is not the first in the queue," MTV3 journalist Erkki Mustakari said.

"Heikki's strong performances have been noted," he insisted, whilst conceding "This is all largely speculative."

Indeed, Finn Kovalainen, 30, said his talks about a contract beyond 2012 have not even begun.

"There are no negotiations in any direction yet," he revealed, "as there are probably a few drivers ahead of me who have not made their decisions yet."

Tesla delivered the first Model S sedan today and hinted it plans to unveil supercharging technology that will allow owners to recharge the long-range electric vehicle in just one hour.

Today. Oh, today. Almost six years after our first ride in a prototype Tesla Roadster in Santa Monica, we mashed the accelerator pedal on an example of the company's

First official pictures of the new MINI Clubvan have been released, and it will start from £11,000

GM plans to add a third shift at its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant that builds the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs.

If you saw the

General Motors will bring Opel's design chief stateside to head Cadillac and Buick's styling.

Also in this episode: Chevrolet sets the price on the

Chrysler Group said it will resume Saturday overtime at a minivan assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario. Last week it canceled Saturday work because of a parts shortage it declined to identify.

General Motors is recalling all Chevrolet Cruzes sold in the United States for a fix aimed at preventing engine-compartment fires.

First Drive: 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

The ultimate roadster.

"Run the 1,000 hp Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport at top speed and it will empty its 26.4-gallon fuel tank in 12 minutes. The Vitesse, with its extra 200 hp, will do it in 10.3, which is lucky actually because Michelin won't guarantee the tires to run above 250 mph for more than 15 minutes." Bugatti's chief vehicle engineer, Jens Schulenburg, can't help but chuckle as he tells us about his latest project, and who can blame him when the Vitesse's spec sheet is littered with such ridiculous numbers.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse - Automobile Magazine

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2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Two pedals

Why we went DSG.

Bucking our recent trend of ordering possible every test car with a manual gearbox, we opted to equip our Four Seasons Volkswagen Passat TDI with the automaker's six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Why? For starters, we aren't enamored with the clutch in TDI cars equipped with manual gearboxes, particularly the one in our Four Seasons 2009 Jetta TDI.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Four Seasons Update - June 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Four Seasons Update - June 2012 - Automobile Magazine

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Opel is hinting at some of the possibly drastic measures to come in its rehabilitation plan due to be unveiled later this month as the automaker looks to halt its downward performance.

Vauxhall says it will look to tap into UK grants after securing the lead share in the next generation Astra work for its Ellesmere Port plant in North West England.

GM is recalling all Chevrolet Cruzes sold in the United States for a repair aimed at preventing engine-compartment fires.