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

BMW wins engine of year

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 09 May 2007 05:51 BMW’s twin turbo 3.0-litre engine – the mighty 306bhp straight six from the 335i - has taken top honours at the 2007 International Engine of the Year Awards, the engineering equivalent of the Oscars. This is an unprecedented third year in a row that BMW has clinched the title of International Engine of the Year Award – in 2006 it was the M6’s V10 that took the title, and the M5’s V10 claimed gold in 2005. Other winners, judged by the panel of 62 motoring journalists from 30 countries across the globe, included Porsche for its biturbo 3.6-litre flat six (unbelievably, the first time Zuffenhausen has won an IEYA award), Toyota for the Prius’ 1.5-litre hybrid unit, and Volkswagen’s TSI twincharger 1.4-litre unit.

Speedy green: Italdesign-Giugiaro's Frazer-Nash Namir

Whatever uncertainties await us on the other side of oil, there will still be speed. If the Frazer-Nash Namir is any indication, there will still be a frightening amount of it. One of the stars of this year's Geneva motor show, the Namir points the way to a responsible generation's supercar--and sets out to prove the technology for its mass-production cars, too.

Lexus NX Compact SUV: OFFICIAL

The Lexus NX (pictured) revealed in standard and F Sport guise Last weekend Lexus teased the production version of their new compact SUV – the Lexus NX – ahead of its debut, and this morning we get the official reveal and details of specification and powertrains. Aimed at compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, the production version of the Lexus NX may have been toned down somewhat from the LF-NX Concept, but it’s still a bold design and keeps a degree of the angularity of the concept; it’ll stand out in the sector – no bad thing. As you’d expect, the big, bold Lexus grill makes its presence felt, with slim LED headlights, big wheelarches, statement alloys (17″ or 18″), sculpted bonnet, sharp creases on the flanks and a back end that’s as angular as the front.