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

Gordon Murray Design T27 crash tested

The original Smart car probably did more than its fair share to persuade us that small cars needn't necessarily be unsafe. But now Gordon Murray is on the same mission: to persuade us that his titchy T27 city car is as safe as houses too. Gordon Murray Design has just issued its first crash test results, showing a T27 electric car after a crash test at the UK's MIRA industry research lab.  The crash test in question was the European-standard 40% offset deformable barrier front high-speed impact.

New BMW 3-series bows, performance-oriented 335iS joins the lineup

A new performance-oriented 335iS model endowed with an M-sport styling kit and unique chassis settings heads the list of changes BMW brings to its facelifted 2011 3-series coupe and convertible. Set to slot into the lineup between an upgraded 335i and the M3 when it goes on sale in March as an exclusive for North America, the 335iS runs a tuned version of BMW's N54 engine, as found in the recently unveiled Z4 sDrive35iS, coupled to either a standard six-speed manual or an optional Getrag-engineered seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine of the 335iS adds a special software package to bump power to 326 hp and lift torque to 332 lb-ft--or to an even gutsier 369 lb-ft for short periods via an overboost function that unleashes added turbocharger boost pressure.

2013 Kia Sorento: UK Price & Spec

The 2013 Kia Sorento – Kia’s take on the Hyundai Santa Fe – arrives in UK showrooms this month priced from £26,495. Kia’s new Sorento is basically the same convincing package as the new Santa Fe, just wrapped up in a Kia instead of a Hyundai. That means new underpinnings and a more appealing shape with a tweaked and fettled 2.2 litre CRD under the bonnet attached to either a six-speed manual or 6-speed auto.