Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

CES: Cranking up Harman's QuantumLogic 3D surround-sound system

Yesterday we reported how Audi was readying a lavish 3D sound experience with 23 speakers and 1,400 watts of goosebump-inducing audio power. Not to be outdone, Harman had been quietly developing a system of its own: Quantum Logic 3D brings together 25 speakers and more than 2,000 watts of Tubthumping power to a new car near you, like driving inside Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. Sitting inside the demonstration BMW 7-Series that Harman painstakingly lifted into the Studio at the Palms, Global Audio Engineering vice president Phil Muzio explained, "great music is delivered in stereo, yet our consumer research indicates that people enjoy surround sound." QuantumLogic 3D's surround sound expands beyond the boundaries of the vehicle's cabin, providing "a sense of detail and spatial placement that you don't get in stereo." Five height component speakers mounted in the corners of the headliner, and above the rearview mirror, elevates audio beyond the confines of the roof, "almost like you're in a convertible," said Muzio.

Suzuki puts kibosh on Kizashi sedan, report says

Japanese automaker Suzuki has backed off plans to build large cars and build assembly plants overseas, according to a report in the Nikkei business newspaper. Suzuki has shown a series of concept vehicles named Kizashi that executives said were pointing toward a production version of a large sedan. And pictures of sedan protoypes have been captured by spy photographers.

New Range Rover Sport races a Spitfire on the Goodwood Airfield (video)

The new Range Rover Sport takes on the iconic Spitfire (pictured) in a race at Goodwood They may have stolen the idea from Top Gear, but Land Rover has taken up a challenge from FortyOneSix.com to turn up at the Goodwood Airfield with a new Range Rover Sport and take on a WWII Spitfire on the Goodwood Airfield. As the Goodwood Airfield is a grass strip, it’s a proper test of the new Range Rover Sport’s ability to get away on slippery surfaces and the Spitfire provides a worthy challenger with its 1750bhp V12 Merlin engine offering a 400mph performance in the air and over 80mph at take-off. The Vickers Submarine Spitfire was piloted by Matt Jones from the Boultbee Flight Academy and the RRS by Mike Cross, so there was no doubting the abilities of both to get the best out of their charges.