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

Toyota talks powertrain plans

After trailing many of its competitors in the recent engine- and transmission-technology wars, Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a swath of powertrains in the next several years, a top powertrain r&d executive said. Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain r&d, said that Toyota is investing heavily in turbocharged engines, larger displacement Atkinson cycle engines, continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, and new hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

New small Jaguar (Jaguar XS) caught on video at Nurburgring

The new small Jaguar pictured testing at the Nurburgring. A replacement for the un-loved Jaguar X-type has been on Jaguar’s ‘To Do’ sheet for some time, but a new small Jaguar is now finally on the way, although it is still probably more than a year away from hitting Jaguar showrooms. But a year or so is no time in terms of new car development, so Jaguar are already out playing with prototypes of the new small Jaguar – perhaps the Jaguar XS – although they’re wearing slightly unconvincing XF clothes.

Audi to bring hybrid Q5 to U.S. in 2010

Audi will offer a hybrid version of its Q5 crossover in the United States starting in late 2010, says Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the Volkswagen group. In an interview Sunday at the Detroit Auto Show , Hatz said Audi must offer a hybrid model to compete with rival vehicles that already offer the technology, such as the Lexus RX 400H. The BMW X6 will be offered as a hybrid late this year, and Mercedes plans to roll out a hybrid in each of its major models starting with the S400 hybrid this year.