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

Beijing motor show 2012 highlights

The 2012 Beijing motor show proves yet again that the balance of power and influence in the car industry continues to shift east. With a number of global debuts from both international and domestic brands, the show – which alternates between Beijing and Shanghai – is now a must-attend event in our calendar. In case you missed our CDNLive coverage, here's a chance to catch up: Citroen: DS: an object lesson in how to create a premium brand Citroen DS Numero 9 highlights Dongfeng: Dongfeng’s Hummer Fiat: What came first, the Viaggio or the Dart?

BMW ActiveE: Electric BMW 1-Series at Geneva

BMW 1-Series Electric - BMW ActiveE It’s been a while since we first saw the BMW ActiveE, the BMW 1-Series with the gubbins from the MINI E bolted under the bonnet (and various other places) and intended as the next instalment in BMW’s plans to charge its customers to do real-world development and research. In fact, the electric BMW 1-Series first crossed our radar in December 2009 and went on to be shown as a concept at the Detroit Motor Show a month later. And now it’s back at the Geneva Motor Show in March, only now it’s production-ready.

Volvo Group plans wirelessly charged bus line

There's one bit of futuristic transportation technology that seems to get trotted out almost as often as autonomous cars, electric cars and flying cars: Inductive, or wireless, charging for city buses. It's not as sexy or as memorable as the perpetually out-of-reach commuter-grade Harrier jet, but it uses proven technology (GM's EV-1 uses inductive charging, as do electric toothbrushes) to save or eliminate fuel and to reduce emissions. And unlike the flying car, induction-charged buses are hardly fantasy: They've been used in European cities for over a decade, South Korea started testing a fleet last year and Utah got in on the act recently.