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

Track time on the Autoweek America Adventure

There is not a whole lot of stuff to see between southern Oregon and way-northern California, other than the beauty and majesty of terrain carved by volcanic action thousands of years ago. Mount Shasta is a stunning reminder of how insignificant and powerless we really are. That power might have shifted with a trip to Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, Calif.

Is the V8 a dying breed? Auto engineers expect more turbos, smaller engines

The V8 engine, a symbol of power and prestige for more than a century, is looking more and more like an endangered species. A panel of powertrain experts speaking on Tuesday at the 2009 SAE World Congress painted a bleak picture for big engines in this era of tightening emission standards and volatile fuel prices. But smaller engines will not mean drivers have to give up performance.

Is this the new Lexus RC F Coupe?

Is this the new Lexus RC F Coupe? These could be Photoshops based on the Lexus LF-CC – which previewed the new IS – but they do have the feel of being real, and if they are then Lexus is delivering up an RC Coupe that’s pretty faithful to the LF-CC Concept and which promises to be a real competitor for the BMW M3. Under the bonnet of the RC F is expected to be a 5.0 litre V8 delivering around 455bhp and 400lb/ft of torque, complete with cylinder deactivation for more frugal running when you’re not wringing the neck of the V8, and mated to an eight-speed auto ‘box with flappy paddles and three driving modes.