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

Porsche and Mercedes-Benz proposals for China Family Car Project explored

Today's Chinese car industry is barely recognizable from that of 20 years ago, and the country is now the biggest market in the world. But in 1994, when the industry was still in its relative infancy, the Chinese government launched the 'China Family Car Project', inviting 20 major Western carmakers to develop proposals for a five-seat, cheap and environmentally-friendly family car for the Chinese market. The chosen proposal would be made in China under a joint venture with First Auto Works (FAW).

Frankfurt 2011: VW Nils EV Go-Kart Video

VW Nils revealed at Frankfurt There have been quite a few of these very small, go-kart-style urban commuter cars cropping up of late, but perhaps the Volkswagen Nils is the most promising. The most promising because if – and it’s a very big if – commuters take to the idea of a grown-up version of a soap-box Kart with an engine for getting to work, the VW Nils will possibly offer the best combination of practicality, refinement and cost. Yes, there’s the Audi Urban Concept to consider, but that will be more expensive (there’s a reason Audi makes VW 40% of its profits), so if commuters do actually find appeal in this route then the Nils is probably the front-runner.

Citroen C5 Cross Tourer adds an ‘Allroad’ version to the C5 Estate

The new Citroen C5 Cross Tourer (pictured) debuts at Geneva We’ve said it before, but for many car buyers a full-blown SUV or Crossover is a step too far. A more rufty-tufty estate car is a much better option. That’s why Audi has had its Allroad options for a long time and why we’re seeing more and more of these butch estates – like the new Skoda Octavia Scout – as car buyers look to fill every possible niche.