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

New Jaguar XJ joins the new Government – eventually

The new Jaguar XJ finds its way in to Downing Street - 24 hours too late. Yes, I know we’re supposed to be on the pulse of everything that’s going on in the world of cars. And honestly, we usually are.

2015 Honda Civic Type R previewed on video with ‘at least 276 bhp’

2015 Honda Civic Type R previewed on video with ‘at least 276 bhp’ The Honda Civic Type R has died a death as new emission regulations sounded the death knell for the high-revving naturally aspirated lump under its bonnet. But Honda are planning on bringing the Type R back to life in 2015, but rather than a VTEC engine that only wanted to really play over 5000 rpm, Honda are heading back to hot hatch goodness with a new turbo engine that promises ‘at least’ 276bhp. That should make the next Honda Civic Type R not only a lot quicker than the last Type R, but its power will be accessible much lower down the rev range and economy and emissions will be much improved.

New Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Mercedes S-Class (pictured) will arrive with a plug-in hybrid version in September We’ve known Mercedes were planning a plug-in hybrid version of the new S-Class as far back as 2009, and it now appears it will debut – as a 2014 model – at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. When Mercedes revealed the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at Frankfurt in 2009, they had fitted it with a V6 petrol engine mated to a 44kw motor and a bank of lithium-ion batteries, and promised the hybrid S-Class would do 90mpg, have emissions of under 75g/km and manage 18 miles in EV mode. That means the hybrid S-Class would have performance comparable to the V8 petrol-engined S500 but attract no BIK or VED in the UK.