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

Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Intermot-IVM Design Award Competition 2004

A perception that young people are less and less attracted to motorbikes provides the theme for the first Intermot-IVM Design Award competition. The Motorcycle Industry Association of Germany (IVM e.V.) and the Trade Fair Munich/Intermot have decided to intensively take care of their young clients with several activities this year. As young people are no longer inspired by superb technology alone, but are impressed more and more visually, it is only logical to place a greater emphasis on the design of the bike in winning over young customers.

Audi tracks down the last Horch

The last Horch built, found in the middle of Texas It’s been looking likely for a while that now VW has taken control of Porsche it may decide to rebrand the VW Group as Auto Union. Auto Union was the root of Audi, and was formed in the ’30s when Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer joined forces to become Auto Union and pool their resources to cope with the depression (sound familiar?). Which might explain why Audi has been scouring the planet for rare cars from its Auto Union days.