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

New V12 engine set to power baby Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce said Monday that the upcoming production version of the 200EX concept car revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this month will be powered by turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine. Part of a new family of gasoline engines developed by parent company BMW--among which is the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 used in the 7-series--the new four-valve-per-cylinder engine receives the latest in direct-injection technology and is claimed to produce in excess of 500 hp. With the smaller V8 developing 442 lb-ft of torque in the range-topping BMW, the new V12 destined for the price-leading Rolls-Royce is expected to be in the vicinity of 553 lb-ft--something that should ensure what the British carmaker likes to refer to as traditional waftability--in other words, relaxed cruising.

Toyota: Runaway Prius accounts ‘inconsistent' with testing

Toyota is challenging the accounts of a motorist whose Prius sped out of control last week in San Diego, calling his reports of the incident “inconsistent” with the initial findings of the company. Toyota released the results after two days of testing on a 2008 Prius hybrid that sped out of control last week in California, and it maintained that the car's brakes and throttle functioned properly. The now-infamous incident occurred on March 8, when a Prius driven by James Sikes was reported in a 911 call to be speeding uncontrollably.

Ford recalls minivans, SUV

Ford is recalling nearly half a million vehicles to fix defects that can cause fires or loss of power. About 205,800 copies of the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivan from the 2004 and 2005 model years are being recalled, because torque-converter output shafts in the transaxle might fail and cause power loss. Ford is also recalling 244,530 Escape SUVs from the 2001 and 2002 model years, which might have brake-fluid leaks that can cause corrosion and fire.