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

BMW ‘i’ Brand 46 dealer network for i3 & i8

Each i-Brand centre will have specialist technical capabilities so they can work on the i range of cars and their high-voltage batteries, and BMW say there will also be a wider network for servicing and maintenance of their electric cars. The first of the -Brand cars to go on sale from BMW will be the city car i3 (which will also come with the option of a range extender engine to make it truly useful) later in 2013 followed by the i8 supercar. Prices are yet to be confirmed even for the i3, but we’re expecting the i3 to start around the £35k mark and the i8 – when it does arrive – costing something closing in on £100k.

Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid revealed ahead of Geneva debut

The VW Golf GTE Plug-in (pictured) debuts at Geneva If you like a quite warm VW Golf with a petrol engine, VW has that covered with the Golf GTI, and if you’d rather burn oil you can do that too with the Golf GTD. But now there’s a third way – the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid. Combining a 1.4 litre TSI turbo petrol with 148bhp and a 101bhp electric motor, the Golf GTE manages a combined output of 201bhp, enough to get to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and return official economy figures of 157mpg and emissions of a paltry 35g/km.

BMW offers M Performance Parts for 3- and 5-series

BMW opened up its M Performance Parts catalog to the new 3- and 5-series, the company said on Friday. The German automaker will offer chassis, brakes, aero upgrades and exhaust improvements for the 2012 3-series and the 2011-12 5-series. BMW revealed the line for its diesel cars in Europe in January, but those cars won't be coming here.