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

Opel Ampera: the full, official technical story

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 25 March 2009 10:05 Opel/Vauxhall predict that the new Ampera production car will sell more in Britain than anywhere else in Europe. The extended range electric vehicle, unveiled at the recent 2009 Geneva motor show, will go on sale here in late 2011 and marketing bosses say the UK is more accepting of hybrids and alternative vehicles than other markets. It’s not clear at this stage how much the Ampera will cost in the UK, but we’re looking at a likely cost around £20,000.

McLaren 12C Can-Am at Pebble Beach

A (currently) one-off McLaren MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Can-Am – is heading for Pebble Beach, previewing a track-day MP4-12C. The McLaren MP4-12C is a one-off track-focused MP4-12C, developed by the same McLaren GT team which developed the MP4-12C GT3 race car, and its heading for Pebble Beach this month to tempt US track-day enthusiasts. Developed without the constraints of a racing series, the 12C Can-Am is based on the GT3 car and adds a new aerodynamic package – which improves downforce by 30 per cent – with a carbon fibre splitter with little winglets atop, a huge rear tray of a spoiler and a carbon fibre diffuser.

2015 Volkswagen Touareg price and specs – costs from £43,000

The 2015 Volkswagen Touareg (pictured) costs from £35k Volkswagen revealed a facelift for its biggest SUV – the VW Touareg – at the Beijing Motor Show in April which got the usual tweaks of titivated front and back and a new set of alloys to make it look fresher. Also in the mix, sadly, was the end of the very grunty 4.2 litre V8 diesel (and the hybrid in the UK) with VW deciding to concentrate on two flavours of V6 diesel and adding in new technology like post-collision braking, coasting and low-resistance tyres with air suspension to the mix. Now, with the 2015 VW Touareg due to go on sale on 27 August, Volkswagen has revealed prices and specs for the new Touareg.