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

Rolls Phantom Series II at 2012 Geneva motor show

Senior industrialists – and Sir Alan Sugar’s chauffeur – will be cheered by the news that Rolls-Royce has updated its premium luxury vehicle, with the launch at the 2012 Geneva motor show of the Phantom Series II. Nine years after launch, the heavyweight – in so many ways – limousine gets cosmetic enhancements, some fresh new tech and significant tweaks to drivetrain and ‘user experience’, say RR. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom doesn’t look that different, does it?

Volkswagen give the VW XL1 Ducati power

Volkswagen give the VW XL1 Ducati power It’s more than two years since Volkswagen rolled out the VW XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle as a demonstration of how light weight and low power can make for extremely economical motoring. But the silly mpg VW quoted for the XL1 – 313mpg – comes at a fairly horrible price, with the news at Geneva this year that the XL1 is heading for limited production, but with a price tag likely to be around £100k. Bit it seems that VW has found a new use for the XL1, and this time it’s not about extreme economy but more about real performance.

BMW Concept Active Tourer – It’s the BMW B Class

The BMW Concept Active Tourer has been revealed ahead of the Paris Motor Show, previewing BMW’s new FWD direction. We recently had Mercedes roll out their take on the BMW 1 Series with the new A Class, and now the roles are reversed with BMW revealing their take on the Mercedes B Class with the BMW Concept Active Tourer. The BMW Concept Active Tourer is a preview of BMW’s front wheel drive future in the small premium sector, even if the Concept Active Tourer is notionally 4WD thanks to its a 67bhp electric motor driving the back axle in this hybrid setup.