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

Better Place Electric Car visitor centre opens

Better Place have opened a visitor centre in Israel to demonstrate their battery swap technology for electric cars Last October we wrote about a start-up company in Israel – Better Place – that had a new way forward for electric cars by taking the purchase of battery packs out of the equation, and was developing a system for ‘Battery Swap’ stations where electric car owners could drive in and swap their battery pack for a fully-charged one in a few minutes. That story first brought to our attention our favourite quote of last year – by Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn – who said “A hybrid is like a mermaid: if you want a fish, you get a woman; if you want a woman, you get a fish.” Which probably explained why Nissan – and its partner Renault – got involved with Better Place. Better Place aims to address the main concerns of electric car drivers by making the battery packs in electric cars ‘swappable’.

Rolls Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection

Rolls Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection We’re rather hoping Rolls Royce will stick to convention and not plaster the name of this limited edition Rolls Royce Phantom across the boot lid, because even the Rolls Royce Phantom would struggle to accommodate ‘Rolls Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection‘ in  chromed lettering. But the catchy little moniker for this Limited Edition Phantom does at least tell the story. Rolls Royce are producing a run of 100 Phantoms to celebrate the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy, incorporating a suite of features inspired by Ecstasy and offering exclusive paint jobs, veneers and leather.

2014 Chevrolet Reaper bumps Silverado to 550 hp

It was only a matter of time before a Chevy Silverado decided to give the Ford Raptor a run for its money, in this case via noted tuner John Lingenfelter. The company announced its new Chevrolet Reaper project at the National Automotive Dealers Association last Friday. The 2014 Reaper is the result of a conversion kit that takes an average Silverado -- already a good truck -- and puts it on steroids, so to speak.