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

Japan automakers extend shutdowns as quake impact widens

Japan's seven big automakers are extending nationwide production shutdowns amid growing concern about supply chain interruptions, power shortages and export difficulties following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hammered northern Japan, killing thousands. Toyota Motor Corp., one of the few automakers with a major manufacturing presence in the quake zone, suspended all manufacturing--at both assembly and parts plants--on Monday and extended the shutdown through at least Wednesday as an added precaution. The company will lose output of roughly 40,000 vehicles over the three-day period, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

Jaguar XF 2.2D 163 PS goes on sale

Jaguar XF 2.2D 163 PS - less powerful XF launched Jaguar has announced a lower powered version of the new XF 2.2 Diesel with 163PS which goes on sale immediately from £29,950. Jaguar finally came clean on its entry-level XF – the Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel – back in March last year, after speculation and denials about a cheaper XF almost since the XF first arrived. But having bitten the bullet on an entry-level XF, Jaguar has now done it in spades by revealing an entry-entry-level XF – the Jaguar XF 2.2D 163PS.

WRC Mini Concept (2010) first official pictures

While the Mini Countryman might be destined for suburban mumsville, BMW has confirmed the new model will also terrorise the countryside in the form of the WRC Mini from 2011, with IRC champ Kris Meeke at the wheel. Officially launched at the 2010 Paris motor show in concept guise, the WRC Mini will be engineered and run by motorsport doyen Dave Richards and his Prodrive outfit, although customer packages will be available too, allowing independents to compete in the car. Not so much – this is no time for misty-eyed Paddy Hopkirk odes.