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

Lorenzo Ramaciotti to head Chrysler and Lancia design

Lorenzo Ramaciotti, current head of design at Fiat Group, has been tasked with leading the design of future Chrysler and Lancia products in a bid to more than double the sales figures of the newly collaborated brands. The 63-year-old former Pininfarina designer – credited to some of the most beautiful Italian machinery of the modern era – has been asked by Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat and Chrysler Group LLC, to create a common styling language for the two brands that wouldn't look out of place in Detroit or Milan. Ramaciotti has made it clear that badge-engineering isn't going to be the future for the two brands and is hoping to inject a unique, but global flavor, into the two brands.

2015 Volkswagen Passat: OFFICIAL

The new 2015 Volkswagen Passat revealed VW previewed the 2015 Passat back in May with a set of design sketches and the promise of a sleeker design, less weight and better economy with more room for passengers – and now it’s here. The 2015 Volkswagen Passat is the eighth generation of a car that VW always hoped would wipe the floor with the Ford Mondeo and steal sales from the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, but which has never quite hit the sort of home run the VW Golf has. But VW has tried hard with the 2015 Passat and delivered a car that looks Audi-slick and more upmarket, so perhaps the eight generation Passat will be the Passat to finally dominate the segment?

Experts predict nine-, 10-speed transmissions to dominate in North America

In March, luxury maker Land Rover proudly told an audience at the Geneva auto show that it would soon bring to market the industry's first nine-speed transmission. One month later, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors announced that they would jointly develop 10-speeds.