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

Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.

Video shows race car flip from driver's view

Doug Peterson brought a new race car to the SCCA Chicago Region's June Sprints at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 15-17. But the car's status moved from new to trashed in a few blinks of an eye. Video from a camera mounted on the car shows Peterson making a move to the right as the field moves toward the start/finish line.

EU cuts Co2 Targets to help Euro car makers

In an astonishing outbreak of common sense, EU negotiators last night agreed a deal to ease the draconian Co2 targets for EU car manufacturers. Originally, EU car makers had to meet the new regulations by 2012, but have now won a concession to hit 65% of target by 2012, 75% by 2013, 80% by 2014 and 100% by 2015. This scaling back of the targets was achieved after Germany objected to the original proposals.