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

Mercedes SLA Roadster looks likely

As car manufacturers start to look with fresh eyes at smaller, cheaper cars, reports from Germany confirm that Mercedes is close to committing to the SLA, a small Roadster to be based on the next generation A-Class platform. The original SLA concept was shown at Detroit in 2000, and aimed to slot in beneath the SLK. But at that time Mercedes didn’t have a suitable platform on which to base the car, and the project was shelved.

Ford to host Octane Academy for action-sports junkies

Ford is making a push for younger customers with its sponsorship of extreme-sport and action-sport events. Now, the automaker wants to bring that experience to some select average Joes. Beginning in November, Ford will host an action-sports program called Octane Academy.

Trailer full of 2014 Corvette Stingrays spotted on the road

If you're a Corvette fanatic dying to take delivery of that C7 you've placed an order on, take heart: There's a vehicle transporter laden with 10 (or is it 11?) 2014 Stingray coupes roaming the American southwest. Submitted by Autoweek reader Dan Becker, the photo doesn't tell us much about the car, but at this point we're all fairly well-versed in the details. Two different five-spoke wheels are visible -- most are black but we see at least one shiny set -- but beyond that, nothing is visible; the cars' tight wrappings don't even betray a sliver of the colors underneath.