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

Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg highway

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 140 hp and 136 lb-ft from the aluminum 2.0-liter engine used in the current-generation Focus.

A look at Chevrolet future products

Based on Chevrolet's vehicle launches over the past few years, a casual observer might not know that General Motors' bow-tie brand still makes trucks. Well-received entries such as the Cruze compact and Sonic subcompact have helped transcend Chevy's image as a trucks-and-sports-cars brand. In coming months, the transformation of Chevy's car lineup will continue with the launches of the Spark minicar, two new engines in the redesigned Malibu and the long-awaited next-generation Impala, due early next year.

CAR’s £1000 support for upcoming journalists – in honour of Phil Llewellin

The Phil Llewellin Student Journalist of the Year award will go to the best student writer from the motoring journalism courses at Coventry and Cardiff Universities. The winner receives £1000 and also a work experience placement at CAR magazine, whose pages were graced by Phil Llewellin’s work until his untimely death in 2005. Entries for the award, run by the Guild of Motoring Writers, must be received by 30 September, with the winner announced at the RAC Club in London on 5 December.