The final rounds of the 2011 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) season ended abruptly for Robert Dahlgren and the Polestar Racing Volvo C30. After leading the time sheets in practice at the legendary Macau street course, Dahlgren, who was fastest in qualifying, crashed out after hitting debris from a previous accident.

Volvo had a simple, but elegant display, featuring all the current models, but the all new S60 sedan and the XC60 crossover shared the biggest piece of the crowd. All the cars were open, so visitors could sit in them and check out the interiors, and one man was commenting on how nicely the interior was setup in the S60, with the Sensus display angled slightly toward the driver, and all the knobs and handles seemingly in the right place.

Volvo has unveiled a new concept that is designed with the U.S. and Chinese markets in mind – an XC60 Plug-in Hybrid, featuring technology that was developed for its diesel-powered European cousin, the V60 Plug-in hybrid. The new concept gives the car owner possibilities that no other existing hybrid car can offer.

New England is rich in history and culture, from its architecture to its role in America's founding, and it’s also the birthplace and home of many great artists and writers. This month we'll take a closer look at some of the homes and hometowns of authors who were born or settled in New England.