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

Volvo Flywheel KERS Hybrid cuts fuel consumption by 25%

Two years ago we reported that Volvo were testing a clever hybrid Flywheel KERS system for road cars and hoped it would prove to be a good way to make road cars more economical. And it seems it does. The Hybrid Flywheel KERS system Volvo has developed weighs only 6kg, has a diameter of just 20cm, is made of carbon fibre, sits in a vacuum and is located on the back axle and works by recovering energy under braking which is then stored for use when the car moves off.

MINI Paceman: Price from £18,970

The MINI Paceman – the MINI Countryman Coupe – will be available in the UK from £18,970 with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, FWD or 4WD. After a debut in production guise at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the MINI Paceman is now hitting the Uk with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual or auto gearbox and front wheel drive or four wheel drive. Petrol engine choices for the Paceman are the 1.6 litre Cooper Paceman with 122bhp, 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and 47.1mpg and the Cooper S Paceman with the same 1.6 litre but with 184bhp, 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and 46.3mpg. There’s also the 218bhp MINI John Cooper Works Paceman that can hit 62mph in a pretty swift 6.9 seconds.

Audi A4 Allroad quattro ready to roll

The Audi A4 Allroad quattro - launches at Geneva in March [ad#ad-1] It looks like Geneva is going to be more of a highlight than the recent Detroit Motor Show, which turned in to something of a sombre occasion. No surprise really, considering the US auto industry is in the worst shape of any in the world (been there, done that – remember BL in the ’70s?). But Europe, despite the current economic woes, makes the best cars in the world, and is going to be out in force in March.