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

GM considers flagship sedan for Cadillac

Cadillac is considering a large, flagship sedan to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series, a top General Motors official says. Mark Reuss, GM's president for North America, told Automotive News last month that a new flagship is on the table as GM maps its go-global strategy for Cadillac. A flagship would be a continuation of how GM has been positioning Cadillac's lineup to go head-to-head in each segment with BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

Brazilian students develop soapbox racers for Volkswagen

Brazilian design students have competed for year-long internships at Volkswagen's Brazilian design studio by designing – and racing – soapbox cars. Established 15 years ago by Volkswagen South America design director Luiz Veiga, the Volkswagen Design Talent Contest refreshed its format for 2013 by challenging students to develop a prototype for a gravity-powered soapbox racer instead of asking for sketch and render-based proposals. According to Veiga, Volkswagen was looking for someone "capable of working away from the desk and able to create design solutions, assess and build them".

Motorcycle makers revved for rebound

Bikes are back. After being hit a lot harder by the recession than carmakers, the motorcycle industry, more susceptible to the whims of discretionary spending, is on its way back. “Unit sales are growing for the first time in several years,” said Danny Phillips, executive vice president of Advanstar, the parent company of Progressive International, which put on last weekend's motorcycle show at the Long Beach Convention Center.