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

Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 certified at 662 hp?

When the Ferrari Enzo burst out of the Italian sunrise 10 years ago, its Tipo F140 12-cylinder boasted a spleen-rending 651 hp. Oh, the difference a decade makes. This year, you can pop down to your local Ford dealership, lay down cash roughly equivalent to what would buy you an execrable Lincoln MKS and roll out in a machine with 662 ponies bucking under the hood.

EBay exotic: 1980 BMW M1

What we have here, according to the seller, is an actual one-owner, 4,418-kilometer (2,739 miles) BMW M1, recently imported to the United States from Germany. That's right--the original BMW supercar, one of 456 reportedly built. While the 277-hp straight-six may not sound too impressive today, keep in mind that the European Ferrari 308 only made about 250 hp at the time.