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

CES opens with fewer big wheels, including carmakers

There are some grumblings that the annual CES is becoming less relevant in this era of 24-hour news and instant globalization of information on the internet. And you can make a good argument that the relevance of the world's largest consumer electronics show is at least evolving, for carmakers as well as for other industry giants. It has always been an industry only show, with no public -- the “consumers” in "consumer electronics" -- allowed.

Fiat makes bid to buy Opel

The proposed partnership between Fiat and Chrysler has been thrown into a tailspin with revelations that the Italian carmaker has made a secret offer to purchase a majority stake in Opel. Klaus Franz, chairman of Opel's works council, on Thursday confirmed Fiat's interest in a takeover of General Motors' European subsidiary, suggesting that officials have cleared the way for the signing of a letter of intent as early as April 28. Opel has been in talks with parts supplier Magna International on a possible partnership over the past month.

Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing – new pictures

New teaser pictures of the upcoming Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing But time moves on and it won’t be long before we get the full reveal at Frankfurt, so Mercedes is out playing at more tease, and has issued the pictures you see here. And we get a few more details. Auto Motor Und Sport has been talking to SLS designer Hartmut Sinkwitz – who was responisble for the Smart (sublime to the ridiculous springs to mind) – who says that although it is important to pay homage to the Gullwing Mercedes of the ’50s – the inspiration for the new Mercedes SLS – it was vital that the SLS should be a modern car in every respect.