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

Acura promotes movie role with secret-agent kit

Rarely do the lengths to which a carmaker will go in promoting a product raise eyebrows here at AutoWeek, but it still happens from time to time. Case in point: Acura sent us a kit of secret-agent tests showcasing the role of its cars in the movie Thor. Touting the carmaker’s first stint in a major motion picture, the so-called Acura S.H.I.E.L.D.

The next McLaren supercar will be called the 650S

We've known that McLaren has a pair of additional models in the works, including a Porsche 911-fighting, 12C-based sports car known only as the P13 and another car positioned between the 12C and the P1. Previously, we'd heard the code name “P15” tossed around in reference to that latter car, but McLaren has officially christened it the 650S ahead of its world debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show. According to the automaker, the 650S “takes learnings from both the 12C as well as the sell-out McLaren P1 [ed note: there has to be a better way to say that] and will be positioned between the two on McLaren Automotive's supercar grid.“ We liked the 12C, and we really, really liked the P1.

Car ban hits drivers in polluted Paris

The French government has imposed a ban on driving cars in Paris to help reduce the growing pollution problem in the country’s capital that’s spiralling out of control. From today, Monday 17 March 2014, drivers with ‘odd’ and ‘even’ registration plates will only be allowed to drive in the city every other day respectively. This could cut the amount of traffic in the city by half overnight - although reports suggest many drivers plan to flout the rules and swallow the 22-euro fine for breaking the new regulations.