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

The Grand National Roadster Show is like church, with chrome trim

You can argue all day about which is the best and most influential hot-rod show in the world, but we'll take the Grand National Roadster Show, which will be held this weekend at the Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. This is the 61st running of what grizzled veterans have simply called "Oakland," after the city that hosted it for its first half-century. This is the seventh year the show has been held in the Art Deco halls and sprawling avenues of the Fairplex, all of which will be under sunny skies and balmy temps all weekend.

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.

Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept at 2012 Beijing motor show

Seat gave a clear indication that the hot hatch Cupra version of its Ibiza supermini isn't far away, with the Ibiza Cupra Concept at the 2012 Beijing auto show. The Spanish have a long history of producing go-faster versions of its supermini; the first Ibiza Cupra launched in 1996 and the next one, based heavily on this concept car, lands in the UK by the end of 2012. What powers the new Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept?