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

Euro NCAP finds quadricycles had “severe safety problems”

Euro NCAP has branched out from cars and crash tested a small selection of “heavy quadricycles”  – small, four-wheeled vehicles that were originally developed from motorcycles that are sometimes also known as microcars, and don’t come under the usual car regulations. Although legal for use on the road, these machines do not need to achieve the same rigorous crash test safety standards as ordinary cars. But they are increasingly seen as a fuel-efficient urban transportation alternative, and some of them can be driven teenagers as young as 16.

Aston Martin configurator for the Cygnet and the Virage hits the Web

The few times a year that Aston Martin graces AutoWeek with a press car, our joy is short-lived. There's never enough seat time to go around. Luckily, we can all dream together with the new Aston Martin configurator at the company's Web site, www.astonmartin.com.

Peugeot 207 GTI (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 09 February 2007 11:18 Peugeot 207 GTI: the lowdown Could this be the hot hatch to restore the sheen on Peugeot’s GTI badge? On the experience of the French company’s past few efforts, probably not – but the 207 GTI looks set to improve on the lacklustre outgoing 206. Headline-grabbing highlights include the same 175bhp turbo 1.6 as the latest Mini Cooper S; although it’s down on power compared with punchy 190bhp+ rivals like the Renault Clio 197 and Vauxhall Corsa VXR, a brief overboost facility unleashes 195lb ft of twist for overtaking moves in the top three gears to narrow the gap.