New Dropped Axle Front End Kit on 2040-parts.com

Ridemakerz and Toys “R” Us let you customize the Cars 2 gang

Starting May 15, lovers of Disney Pixar's Cars and Cars 2 will be able to customize their own versions of Tow Mater, Lightning McQueen and the gang at Toys “R” Us stores worldwide. In an exclusive partnership with Ridemakerz and Disney, Toys “R” Us will be opening standalone Cars 2 customization shops in all of its stores. Toy-car customizers Ridemakerz previously partnered with Disney to create bespoke versions of the miniature vehicles for people visiting their few store locations or online shop.

Toyota smashes electric car lap record at Nurburgring

Toyota has set a new electric car record at the Nurburgring – with a silent but speedy 7min 47.794sec lap of the Nordschleife. You can watch the record lap in our video above. Ring specialist Jochen Krumbach was at the wheel of the Toyota Motorsport EV P001 racer, obliterating Peugeot's previous 9min 1.338sec record in the EX1 concept car.

Ferrari 458 Speciale to debut at Frankfurt motor show

Update: Preview video added below, and yes, you can hear the car's engine -- barely -- through the thumping movie trailer-like music. A new Prancing Horse is set to go public at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show: Ferrari will use the event to introduce the 458 Speciale, which will join the 458 Italia and 458 Spider at the lower end of Ferrari's range. Visually, the 2,844 lb., mid-engined 458 Speciale doesn't depart too much from the 458 Italia, though the new model gets a more aggressive fascia and a massive hood duct that -- when coupled with an apparently F1-inspired interior -- hints at the no-nonsense sporting purpose of the car.