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

GM may revive performance brands

General Motors Co. is studying whether to revive brands for performance vehicles to improve its image among go-fast car shoppers. At the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show in Las Vegas last week, GM unveiled the Z-Spec Chevrolet Cruze, Volt and Spark cars, and two SS-badged Chevrolet Camaros.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron price and specs – costs £34,950

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (pictured) costs £34,950 If governments are going to base car taxation on Co2 emissions, then car makers are going to build cars that ‘game’ the official tests. A perfect example of which is the new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid. It’s expensive at £34,950 (although the government bribe for plug-ins does drop the price you pay to £29,950), but thanks to its ‘up to 31 miles’ range on battery power only it comes complete with official economy of 176.6 mpg and emissions of 37g/km.

BMW X6 (2007): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 16 December 2007 00:01 These are the first official pictures of the BMW X6, one of 2008’s most intriguing cars. It’s a 4x4 with a coupé body, seriously high performance engines including a 407bhp twin-tubocharged V8 and a trick diff to give it a flavour of the M division’s finest. The X6 is based on the X5's chassis and shares its wheelbase, but its around 20mm lower and has a wider track, to enhance its dynamic ability.   It’s certainly the sportiest SUV so far.