75 Yamaha Tx 500 Tx500 Xs500 Xs - Right Petcock on 2040-parts.com

Ecclestone wants to bring the noise

FORMULA ONE supremo Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to address growing concerns surrounding the sport's lack of an appealing noise. Following Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Ron Walker, chairman of the organising company that stages the race, complained to close friend Ecclestone about the lack of sound. The piercing scream of the old V8 engine has gone, and in its place we now have a huskier tone, complete with whistles and whirrs from the 1.6-litre V6 turbo as F1 tries to become greener.

Video: Honda Super Ultra Daydreams has us smiling with joy

Honda's press conference at last week's press conference was full of the usual marketing messages about sales figures, new models and company strategies but the thing that caught our magpie-like eyes was this joyful little video. The cheeky vector graphics feature 19 of the company's concept cars from the last 20 years, starting with the 1994 FSR right up to the NSX via such wonderful oddities as the Kiwami and P-Nut, all accompanied by a bouncy score.  It reminded us all why this is a brand that has always stood out as individual and creative even if the last few years have been a little sparse.

The 500-hp club

Petrol heads, continue to rejoice: Car manufacturers have not ignored your cries for high-powered cars and trucks. Despite tightening emissions regulations and rising fuel costs, automakers are building an increasing number of vehicles putting out at least 500 horses. Based on our research, there are over 80 cars sold in the United States that deliver these burnout-inducing numbers (not including tuners such as Mosler or Callaway).