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

Evolution of the 3: BMW begins sales of sixth-generation sedan

BMW staged the U.S. launch of the sixth generation of the stalwart 3-series at the Detroit auto show this week, which makes this as good a time as any to take a look back at the car that other sports sedans aspire to be. The small sedan hit the scene in 1975, just three years after the 5-series, as a successor to the BMW 1600, the 1600ti and the 2002.

BMW pushes back the U.S. debut of the X1 until the end of 2012

BMW will not offer its compact X1 crossover in the United States until the end of 2012 because of strong demand for the redesigned version of the larger X3. Also, the X1 is selling well outside the United States so supplies are tight, said Jim O'Donnell, CEO of BMW of North America. The X1 was launched in Europe in November 2009.

Brian Wilson to perform at Petersen fundraiser

The annual Petersen Automotive Museum's fundraising event on May 7 promises to be fun, fun, fun when Beach Boy Brian Wilson and his band take the stage. The rock-'n'-roll icon is scheduled to play for an hour as part of the museum's largest charity event of the year, proceeds from which benefit the 501(c)(3) institution. The Beach Boys had a lot of car-themed hits, including "409," "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." (AutoWeek trivia: The Deuce Coupe featured on the cover of the album of the same name belonged to Clarence "Chili" Catallo, whose son, the successful and powerful advertising executive Curt Catallo, once was a lowly editorial assistant at AutoWeek).