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

Lexus sales up but Toyota's profits tumble

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 13 August 2008 13:25 With spiralling fuel prices, luxury off-roaders may be seen as the devil on wheels in the UK’s current cash-strapped economic climate – which would explain why last month saw a sharp drop in SUV sales at BMW, Audi and Mercedes. But not at Lexus. July 2008 sales of the company’s RX400h hybrid off-roader climbed 28 percent over the same period last year, rising from 223 to 285.

Rushed urban speed limit reductions criticised

ANY RUSH towards blanket 20mph zones on urban roads needs to be slowed down, according to a survey of nearly 25,000 motorists. Almost 70% of drivers think people should be consulted before 20mph limits are imposed on their street, the AA/Populus survey showed. More than half (55%) of the 24,351 AA members in the survey said drivers' views should be sought if 20mph zones are introduced in local areas through which they travel.

New Ferrari California T gets new twin turbo V8 with 49% more torque (+video)

The new California T (pictured) revealed ahead of a Geneva debut It’s been a long time since Ferrari gave one of its cars a turbo charged engine, not since the late ’80s and the Ferrari F40, but that all changes – and no doubt points the way to the future – as the Ferrari California T gets revealed ahead of a debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the V8 Ferrari build for the Maserati Ghibli, the California T’s new engine is a 3.8 litre twin turbo with 552bhp and a mountain of torque, 557lb/ft, a massive 49 per cent more than the current California produces. That improves performance marginally – 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196mph – but has a big impact on economy; the new California T improves on the current California by 15 per cent, recording official figures of 27mpg and 250g/km.