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

Green three-wheelers may get Energy Department funding

Aptera Motors, Elio Motors and other companies developing fuel-efficient three-wheeled vehicles got a boost from Congress this week in their quest for federal funding. Legislation to make three-wheeled vehicles eligible for Energy Department loans passed a conference committee of House and Senate leaders Wednesday and then got approval from the full House on Thursday. It is part of an energy spending bill likely to go before the Senate by next week for final congressional passage, a Senate aide said.

Peugeot tease new sports saloon concept for Beijing Motor Show

Lurking under this cover is a new Peugeot Concept for the 2014 Beijing Motor Show Peugeot do good concepts, even if many don’t actually make it in to production. A case in point is the stunning Peugeot Onyx Concept we saw at the Paris Motor Show in 2012, which came with great styling, copper and carbon fibre bodywork, the use of unusual materials like crystal glass and compressed paper and a powertrain that used a 3.7 litre V8 at the back with an electric motor for added green credentials. Peugeot say their latest concept – which will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April and is teased by the photo above – will use the same sort of innovative materials as the Onyx (which probably means it too will never see production) and preview the future of Peugeot’s styling.

Chrysler performance guru Dan Knott dies at 51

Chrysler senior vice president Dan Knott emerged as an unquestioned powerbroker in the industry, deftly navigating the flying circus that can be automaker-supplier relations. But enthusiasts of all stripes owe Knott a debt of gratitude, as he was a performance guy long before he became a well-known industry executive. Knott, 51, died April 29 after a battle with cancer.