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

Toyota Auris Hybrid, Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Land Cruiser and iQ (2009): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 02 September 2009 13:25 Toyota has announced its line-up for the 2009 Frankfurt motor show – and it’ll be led by a new hybrid version of the Auris hatchback. The Hybrid Synergy Drive tech from the Prius has squeezed under the bonnet of the Auris to make a new, cleaner hatch and extend the Japanese firm’s lead in petrol-electric tech. It won’t be just a battery-powered Auris on show, however.

Ford Focus ST is dead – bring on the 2011 Ford Focus ST

The Ford Focus ST Yes, Ford’s Championship League hot Focus – the Ford Focus ST - falls foul of Euro 5 emissions which come in to force in January, so it joins cars like the Civic Type R and the Mazda RX-8 in being confined to the history book of motoring with its 5-pot 2.5 litre lump – which also did sterling service in the Focus RS and the Focus RS500 - failing to keep up with the regulator’s pen. Bur fear not, although you’ll have to wait probably until 2012 (or at least late in to 2011) to get a look at the 2012 Focus RS, the 2011 Ford Focus ST will be here even before the last rites have been read for the current ST; the new 2011 Focus ST bows in at Paris in just over a month’s time. By all accounts the 2011 Focus ST is going to come equipped with performance comparable to the current RS rather than the current ST.

Lexus launches own Design Award contest

The first Lexus Design Award has been launched that gives the next generation of designers the chance of seeing their work showcased at next year's Milan Design Week. The theme of this global competition is ‘Motion', with Lexus looking for designs that respond to issues 
in daily life that relate to ‘Motion' as well as providing solutions. Two of the ten award winners will then develop prototypes with a renowned designer – either Sam Hecht or Junya Ishigami – acting as their mentor.