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

Kia and BMW claim 2012 Red Dot Design Awards

Kia and BMW have been recognized by the 2012 Red Dot Design Awards judging panel, picking up the ‘best-of-best' awards in the transportation product design category. The awards, handed out March 15, single out the best-designed products from over 4,000 entries across a variety of categories. Kia's A-segment Picanto and B-segment Rio were both winners in Red Dot's ‘Product Design' category, fighting off competition from over 4,500 products entered by 1,800 manufacturers from 58 countries.

Toyota Avensis updated

Toyota has upgraded the Avensis with new engines and spec changes First up is a new, entry-level 1.6 litre petrol Valvematic, which offers 0-60 mph in a bit over 10 seconds, and returns 43.5 mpg. Available in T2 and TR grade saloon and tourer models, the petrol engine gets mated to a six-speed manual ‘box Also new is the 2.2 litre diesel with 148bhp and a 0-60 of 9.5 seconds. This gets Toyota’s 6-speed auto ‘box.

Audi Q3: Official

Audi Q3 – finally official Ahead of its official reveal at Shanghai this month, the baby SUV that is the Audi Q3 has bowed in, with plenty of detail and lots of photos. Looking exactly how it was expected to look – pretty much the same as the 2007 Audi Cross Coupe Concept , without the Concepty bits – and ready to fit in under the Q5 and mop up sales from those who want a premium, compact softroader. Under the skin the Audi Q3 is pure VW Tiguan, but Audi has grafted on a convincing set of sheet metal – and a typical, classy Audi interior – to put proper daylight between the cousins.