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

Mercedes want in with Brawn GP

Mercedes are considering closer ties with Brawn GP [ad#ad-1] With Brawn GP wiping the floor with everything on the F1 circus this season, and particularly World Champions McLaren, it is being reported that Mercedes are seeking a closer relationship with the new darlings of the paddock. At the moment Mercedes supplies engines to Brawn GP on a customer basis. In other words, Brawn GP has to cough up the cost – which will not be insignificant.

Watch Tesla Model S testing new titanium armor

In a missive signed by Elon Musk himself, Tesla announced it would be adding titanium plates and aluminum deflectors to all new Model S sedans and offering free retrofits for the 20,000 or so existing EVs. The company earlier offered an over-the-air software update to raise the ground clearance of the Model S so the car would be more likely to clear dangerous road debris. The actions were in response to well-publicized fires in the electric luxury sedans.

VW Beetle Dune at the Detroit auto show

Of all the production-leaning concept vehicles at the Detroit auto show, the Volkswagen Beetle Dune's the sort of flight of fancy nobody was looking for. Nissan's Sport Sedan heralds the look of the next Maxima, which will likely trickle down in some way to future Altimas, Sentras and Versas. It looks as if Nissan will put one of its techno-retro RWD IDx concepts into production.