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

Some hybrids are not a green as they seem, interest group says

Car buyers who think they are helping the planet by choosing a hybrid vehicle to aid in cutting emissions don't always get the biggest bang for their buck, according to an environmental interest group. A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that some hybrids come at a much higher price tag than their similarly equipped, conventional-powertrain counterparts, yet offer little in the way of environmental gain. These not-so-green hybrids compromise their value or eco-friendliness in a variety of ways.

Toyota to close Australian design studio

Toyota designers at its Technical Center Asia Pacific Australia (TTCAP-AU) are to lose their jobs as part of Toyota's decision to scale back the facility's activities as well as halting all manufacturing within the country by 2017. The TTCAP-AU, which carries out all its Australian design and evaluation operations, employs 150 designers and modelers and it's possible that its activities with the Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion models could be scrapped, raising doubts over its future. Around 2,500 employees at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant are expected to lose their jobs, although the effects are likely to be wider ranging.

Goodwood FoS really does create sales for supercar makers

Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed just an excuse for petrolheads to gather, or do supercar makers actually see sales rise as a result? If you’re a real petrolhead, there really is no better car show on earth than the Goodwood Festival of Speed (which starts this weekend). Yes, other car shows offer some of what Goodwood does – Villa D’Este, Pebble Beach and Salon Prive are all very good – but none have the depth of petrolhead goodness you’ll find on offer at Goodwood.