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

RCA's Dale Harrow: Car design more crucial than ever

As well as serving as head of the RCA's Vehicle Design Program, Dale Harrow is also a Financial Times columnist. His latest piece suggests the car is in the process of change, and at a rate beyond that undertaken in its first century of existence. Manufacturers have 'solved' the function of the car, and as reliability is no longer a concern for the consumer, design is now crucial.

Report: Ram plans light-duty pickup

Chrysler's Ram brand plans to offer a light-duty front-drive pickup on a redesigned minivan platform beginning in 2013, according to a published report. The truck is expected to be aimed at pickup buyers who want better fuel economy than a full-sized pickup can provide, and who don't need a pickup's toughness and hauling capability. The vehicle will be targeted at the Honda Ridgeline pickup.

Lexus CT 200h: The emissions

Teh Lexus CT 200h has emissions of just 96g/km We have to go with the flow on this because, although we have no faith in the assertion that man is responsible for climate change, for as long as Governments penalise and promote cars based on the emissions of CO2 from their tailpipe (I know, it’s barking) we have to accept that car makers will respond to that stick and carrot. Which is why we see a raft of car makers churning out ‘Eco’ cars with a 99g/km emissions figure, as sub-100g/km of CO2 emissions is the Holy Grail for maximising tax effiecencies. Of course, Lexus has gone a step further and seem intent on producing only hybrid cars as soon as possible.