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

New (2014) BMW M3 and M4: OFFICIAL

The new BMW M3 (pictured) debuts along with its coupe sibling, the BMW M4 (below) We’ve had teases from BMW for the new M3 and M4 but now, ahead of a public debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, we get the official details. Key to the four-door M3 and 2-door M4 is the new 3.0 litre engine, a new turbo, direct injection in-line six petrol which produces 425bhp and a very healthy 405lb/ft of torque from just 1850 rpm. That sort of grunt is enough to get the M3 and M4 to 62mph in 4.3 seconds with the standard six-speed manual, but opt for the seven-speed DCT ‘box and it’s even quicker – just 4.1 seconds.

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

BMW X1 (2010) – official teaser images

BMW has released teaser images of the new BMW X1 compact SUV BMW’s offering in this department is the new BMW X1 which is, in many ways, a 1-Series on stilts, although it has components in common with both the 1-Series and the 3-Series. It will be available in both 2WD and 4WD with engines ranging from a 1.8 litre 4-pot petrol to a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel with a 6-sped manual ‘box or an auto option. These relatively undisguised photos from BMW are the first official shots that have no real subterfuge in them, and show the lines of the car pretty clearly.