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

VW Passat: New distance world record

VW Passat World distance Record When you as old as I am (or at least as old as I feel) you can’t help but be astonished at the feats of economy car makers seem able to wring from even quite serious, upmarket cars. Yesterday we reported on the Mercedes S250 CDI which manages to perform like a 1990s V8 S-Class whilst simultaneously doing nearly 50mpg. Which to an old git like me – who thought his 3.0 litre Capri in his teen years was doing well if it got 18mpg – is a bit hard to acccept.

Toyota charity puts boots on the ground in Detroit

For the second year in a row, Toyota has chosen to celebrate the opening of the Detroit auto show with a philanthropic gesture. In order to help homeless women and children in the Detroit area, Toyota's “Walk in my Boots” community project will partner with Moosejaw, a Michigan-based outdoor retailer, to donate new boots to residents of The Salvation Army Denby Center for Children and Family Services in Detroit. Toyota will also be providing a luncheon buffet for the residents when they deliver the boots and donating $10,000 to the facility to help with operations' costs.

Aston Martin and AMG confirm partnership on new V8 engine

Aston Martin and AMG working on new V8 engines The collaboration deal between Aston Martin and AMG has moved to another level with the announcement that the two companies are working on a new V8 engine for Aston Martin. Aston Martin and AMG signed a letter of intent in July to kick off their technical partnership, and the news the companies are working together on a new V8 engine – which will probably first be seen in a new V8 Vantage – is the first fruits of the deal. A statement from AML and AMG said they are planning to expand their agreement to work on sharing electronic components and will “investigate additional areas of operation”.