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

Fisker, Energy Department face tough Congressional hearing on federal loans

Struggling Fisker Automotive took a bludgeoning Wednesday on Capitol Hill from top congressional Republicans who compared Fisker to failed automotive startups of the past and lambasted the Department of Energy for allowing the electric-car producer to draw down nearly $200 million in taxpayer-funded loans. House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fisker founder Henrik Fisker that he will be remembered fondly for his design work for BMW and Aston Martin. But he compared Fisker to Malcolm Bricklin, John DeLorean and Preston Tucker -- three entrepreneurs known for their failed startup car companies.

Mercedes E Class Estate leaked

The first picture of the new Mercedes E Class Estate has leaked out The new Mercedes E Class leaked and then launched earlier this year, and the E Class Coupe turned out to be a C Class Coupe in disguise. We also reported in May that Mercedes was considering delaying the launch of the E Class Estate and E Class Cabriolet for a year or so until the economy recovered. But it’s now clear that the next instalment of the E Class story – the Mercedes E Class Estate – will launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and the first picture has leaked our way!

IDEA Institute acquired by Quantum Kapital

Turin-based automotive design, modeling and engineering firm IDEA (Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering) has been sold to Quantum Kapital AG, an investment company with an industrial emphasis based in St. Gall, Switzerland. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.