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

2014 Subaru XV – less choice, more refinement

The 2014 Subaru XV (pictured) gets a bit of a tweak The Subaru XV arrived in the UK in 2012, and it’s a perfectly able and reasonably-priced compact crossover from Subaru. But within a year of launching the XV Subaru decided to inject a bit more appeal in to the XV with a price cut of £2,300 across the range and now, not more than six months later, they’re fiddling with the XV range again. The 2.0 litre petrol XV gets new valve-train components to cut engine noise and revised suspension, with extra soundproofing improving NVH levels across the range, a revised power steering system for added stability and feel  and thicker and reshaped suspension lower arm and extra reinforcement around the base of the A-Pillar for better crash performance.

Nissan says the Leaf EV beats the Chevrolet Volt with 367 mpg

The green car mileage race is now under way, and Nissan Motor Co. isn't impressed by the Chevrolet Volt's 230-mpg claim. The Japanese automaker says its new Leaf electric vehicle gets 367 mpg, or about 60 percent better fuel efficiency.

BMX X1 invades U.S. this fall priced at $31,545

At the New York auto show last month, we learned that the BMW X1 compact SUV would be coming to the United States. Now we know that it will arrive on our shores in fall 2012, with a base price of $31,545 including $895 destination. According to BMW, the X1 has been a tremendous success, with more than 275,000 copies sold worldwide.