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

Ironman Stewart retires, sells all

The off-road racing accomplishments of Ivan "Ironman" Stewart might never be matched: 82 major wins in desert racing, 17 of them in the crash-and-bang Mickey Thompson stadium series, three Baja 1000s and others too numerous to squeeze in here over a career that spanned 30 years. The thing that really sets him apart is that, while competitors shared driving duties over the long desert courses, Stewart did the vast majority of them alone, with no relief drivers--just him and the dirty, dusty desert. But even legends want to retire someday.

New Toyota MR-2 Hybrid planned?

Bset Car Magazine's take on a new hybrid MR-2 / MR-S The Toyota MR-2 was a much loved sports car in its day (despite the MR-2 bit sounding like ‘Sh*t’ if said in French) and lovers of the MR-2 have long bemoaned its passing. But if reports by Japan’s Best Car Magazine are to be believed, Toyota are planning a new MR-2 as a hybrid to take on the Honda CR-Z Coupe. Which does have a ring of truth to it.

Consumer Reports slams new Honda Civic

Honda Motor Co., still struggling with supply shortages of the redesigned 2012 Civic after the March earthquake in Japan, took a slap in the face today when Consumer Reports rated the new Civic "too low to be recommended." The 2012 Honda Civic dropped 17 points, from a very-good score of 78 to a mediocre 61, in the latest Consumer Reports road test of small cars. Previous Honda Civic models have often been Consumer Reports' highest rated small sedans, as well as Top Picks in five of the past 10 years. But the redesigned model was slammed for the cheapness of its interior, poor ride quality, long stopping distances and loud interior noise.