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

Volkswagen XL Sport Concept gets Ducati power: Paris 2014

The Volkswagen XL Sport Concept (pictured) gets Ducati power The Volkswagen XL 1 may well be an impressive ‘Supercar’ (that’s super-economical, rather than plain ‘super’), but it’s a daft amount of money and, unless you’re trying to make a ‘Green’ statement, not for everyone. But this Volkswagen XL Sport Concept is a more appealing car – both visually and mechanically – as VW take the XL 1 and rework it in to a sports car with a little help from Ducati. Because under the skin of the XL Sport lies a 197bhp V2 that’s come from Ducati (just as we reported a year ago) and delivers 197bhp through a seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box, with a reduction gear between engine and gearbox to boost torque, revs to 1,000 rpm and can get to 62mph in 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 157mph.

Ferrari black: Prancing Horse turns a profit in first quarter

Ferrari racers have always worn red. But black has been the standard-bearer for the company so far this year, as the Prancing Horse turned a $72 million trading profit in the first quarter. Making money amid the global economic crisis is no small feat--and Ferrari posted the gain despite a slip in sales and revenue.

Map-reading driver gets ban and hefty fine

AN ELDERLY driver has been fined more than £1,000 and banned for a year after he was caught reading a map at the wheel. Peter John Rigby, 73, of Beamsley in Skipton, North Yorkshire, was captured by police cameras flicking through an atlas for at least 10 seconds while driving his Honda Jazz on March 4. The car caught the attention of a camera operator when it began to wander across the white line of the overtaking lane.