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

Hybrid Lexus goes endurance racing

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:35 A track-honed version of Lexus' GS450h hybrid saloon has completed a 24 hour Japanese endurance race. The racer ran the production car's powertrain: a 292bhp V6 petrol engine supplemented by 197bhp from an electric motor. This petrol-electric hybrid delivers the power of a V8, but with combined fuel consumption closer to that of a four-cylinder engine.

We sample Honda's car technology of the future

Ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 we’ve been to Honda’s research and development facility in Tochigi to see and experience some of the Japanese firm’s new and upcoming products and technology. We’ve covered the new Honda Civic Type R in some detail separately, but among the other cars driven here is the next generation Honda Jazz (known as the Fit in Japan), no less than three different types of Honda hybrid system, including one similar to that fitted in the forthcoming NSX supercar, and an all-carbonfibre CR-Z prototype. On top of which, we’ve also experienced a self-driving car, watched a crazy automatic-parking demonstration and sampled the latest version of the all-electric Micro-Commuter, Honda’s equivalent of the Renault Twizy.

McLaren launches Special Operations unit for customers' custom requests

British sports-car maker McLaren has launched its Special Operations unit, which will help the company's well-heeled buyers customize their cars. McLaren previewed some handiwork from the new division at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, with a custom example of the MP4-12C. The customized sports car had a variety of carbon-fiber trim upgrades and special treatment such as unique orange paintwork, a gloss-black roof, diamond-cut-finish wheels with gloss-back inners, 12C-branded carbon sill panels, a carbon steering wheel and carbon-fiber cover vents for the engine.