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

California looks to tighten pollution limits

The California Air Resources Board is scheduled to vote on Thursday on whether to adopt stricter clean-air standards for the state proposed by the Advanced Clean Car program. The program's proposal combines the control of soot, smog-causing pollutants and greenhouse-gas emissions into a package that may be required for model years 2017 through 2025. According to the program, the rules aim to clean up conventionally powered cars, deliver more zero-emissions cars and ensure that a fueling infrastructure is available.

Volkswagen puts a price on the VW Polo BlueGT

The Volkswagen Polo Blue GT – a warmed over Polo – will cost from £17,400 for the 1.4-litre 138bhp 6 spd manual. The Polo Blue GT gets the 1.4 TFSI engine with 138bhp so the little Polo can row along well enough, but it also get cylinder deactivation for when you’re not blatting from traffic light to traffic light to endow the Blue GT with official average economy of 60.1mpg (or 62.7mpg if you opt for the DSG ‘box). When you’re not worried about being parsimonious with your fuel the Polo GT skips along to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and handles well enough thanks to the Polo’s already decent setup and a 15mm lower suspension.

Volvo XC90 loses two-tone body, adds more options for 2013

Volvo refreshed its XC90 SUV for the 2013 model year. The Swedish automaker says it's the most significant update since the vehicle's debut a decade ago. At the top of the list--for us anyway--is the deletion of the lower body cladding.