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

Bentley gets efficient: 2014 Hybrid Concept to cut CO2 emissions by 70%

It seems even the manufacturers of super luxury cars are now cottoning on to the fact that big multi-cylinder, gas-guzzling engines are set to be a thing of the past. Bentley, no less, has announced that it will be going hybrid in the future, marking the occasion with the reveal of its Hybrid Concept at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show 2014. Quite incredibly, the technology looks set to slash the firm’s CO2 output from limousine levels to rates we’re more accustomed to seeing from a small supermini.

Ferrari posts record sales despite economic uncertainty

Global economic waters are far from calm, but Ferrari has managed to steer clear of the turmoil. The Italian automaker has released sales figures for the first six months of 2012, and they’re impressive by any measure. Revenues for the first half of the year are up nearly 12 percent, and net profits have risen 10 percent to over $130 million.

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.