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

U.S. set to raise fuel-economy standard

Government regulators will get their prize of higher fuel-economy standards, and automakers will get the certainty of a national emissions standard, under new rules to be proposed Tuesday by President Barack Obama. The fleet average fuel economy for automakers will rise to 35.5 mpg in 2016 under the president's proposal--10 mpg more than today's mandate. At the same time, the president's proposed rule will cut carbon emissions, thought to be a key factor in global warming.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.

Kia CUB Concept heading for Seoul Motor Show

An new Kia Concept – the Kia CUB – is heading for the 2013 Seoul Motor Show and is a compact four-door coupe with added funk. As Kia moves more upmarket its concepts become more convincing. Recently, we’ve had the Kia GT – a high-end, powerful swoopy coupe that looks like it’s heading for production – and the Kia Provo which caused consternation in Northern Ireland but looks equally likely to head in to production as the Kia take on the MINI Countryman or Nissan Juke.