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

Choice of UK police cars massively slimmed down

Car enthusiasts will soon be able to relax a little after it was announced that the range of police cars approved for use in Britain is being slashed. Those backward glances in your mirror will now be a simpler mental process. This week’s Government spending review will purge many of the wilder police cars favoured by some constabularies, as they launch a drive to save £3.4 million each year by standardising procurement of patrol cars.

Opel Astra OPC Extreme debuts before Geneva

The Geneva motor show starts next week, which means we get to see an awesome selection of cars that will never come to our shores. On Wednesday, Opel added the Astra OPC Extreme to that category, which now includes the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake, Volkswagen Polo and Aston Martin Vantage N430, among others. The Astra OPC Extreme is 220 pounds lighter than the already-hot OPC, thanks to the use of carbon fiber.

Mazda 3 five-door (2008): the first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 25 November 2008 09:43 Mazda has issued five photographs of its new 3 hatchback ahead of its debut at next week's Bologna motor show. The five-door, announced today, follows hot on the heels of the Mazda 3 four-door saloon unveiled at last week's 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.Few firm details have been released today, but Mazda claims the engines will be more efficient, the kerbweight lighter and 'the world's first catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology.' Apparently this cat uses significantly fewer rare materials such as platinum and palladium than regular filters.The new 3 will have a new range-topping 2.2-litre turbodiesel, developing 183bhp or 148bhp. Both are EU5 compliant and are cleaner and more powerful than the current 2.0 TD.