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

NHTSA unveils new safety ratings; BMW and Hyundai first to get five stars

The 2011 BMW 5-series and the Hyundai Sonata were the first two cars to achieve five-star ratings under NHTSA's revised safety ratings announced on Tuesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will rate a total of 24 cars, 20 SUVs, nine pickups and two vans for the 2011 model year. The federal agency has significantly modified its rating process and will now grade side-pole testing and crash-prevention technologies such as lane-departure warning and electronic stability control.

Lexus RC F & RC F Carbon price and specs – costs from £59,995

The Lexus RC F (pictured) costs from £59,995 The Lexus RC F Coupe arrived earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show and now, following the end of IS F production to make way for it, the RC F is going on sale in the UK, with prices starting at £59,995. Whether the RC F offers enough to prove a challenge to the BMW M4 remains to be seen, but on paper it all looks very promising – and good-looking. In the UK, the RC F will come in two guises – RC F and RC F Carbon – with both models getting the same 5.0 litre V8 with ‘more than’ 450bhp and 383lb/ft of torque driven to the back wheels through an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift gearbox.

Chevrolet Volt a step closer to full power with preproduction cars

The Chevrolet Volt is nearing full power as preproduction cars are now prowling the roads around the General Motors Tech Center in suburban Detroit. These units show us what the real-world Volt looks like and bring together the final body, interior, electric powertrain and software for the first time. Some small details are lacking, such as the graining of the interior trim.