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

Toyota drags down new-vehicle quality average; Ford leads Detroit 3 gains

Dragged down by Toyota Motor Corp., the quality of new cars and trucks sold in the United States slipped slightly this year--the first time since 2007, according to a study released Thursday. But Detroit's automakers--helped by Ford Motor Co. and some of the smoothest new-model launches ever--have matched or surpassed Asian and European rivals in initial vehicle quality for the first time, based on the closely watched J.D.

New Volvo V40: The Pedestrian saver +video

Volvo V40 Pedestrian Airbag Apart from great looks and lots of promise the new Volvo V40 offers lots of safety features, including a pedestrian air bag. Of all the mainstream cars we’ve revealed in the last few weeks as the hullabaloo of Geneva ensued, the new Volvo V40 has garnered more readers than any other, which surely augers well for the new V40′s prospects. It’s not just that Volvo seem to have got the whole looks thing right, but they’ve also managed to create a car in the new V40 that just has instant appeal.

Peugeot Quartz

In addition to a Europe-specific version of the Exalt concept, Peugeot will reveal a new show car in Paris. Called the Quartz, it follows themes established by the Onyx, shown in Paris two years ago, and the Exalt, which debuted in Beijing earlier this year. At 4,500mm long and 2,060mm wide, the Quartz is the smallest of the three, and, more obviously, switches coupé for crossover aesthetics.