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

Bombardier YouCity design competition launched

Bombardier is sponsoring the YouCity Innovation Competition, seeking design concepts for 'the future of urban mobility'. The online competition, open to design students and professionals, focuses on the evolution of mobility in fast-growing urban areas. With more than two thirds of the world's population expected to live in cities by 2050, the issue of transportation is one that the organizers feel needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.  Bombardier has selected three cities that represent the different markets for urban mobility around the world: London, UK (mature market), Belo Horizonte, Brazil (BRIC market) and Vientiane, Laos (emerging market).

CCS/GM E-Flex project

Cadillac V-Flex Evan Mai Evan Mai presented the Cadillac V-Flex, a mid-engine electric race car that uses GM's E-Flex platform in a new configuration and advances Cadillac's art & science design language.  The race inspired proportion and layout of the V-Flex draws heavily from Le Mans prototype and F1 cars. Power would come from an electric motor with a range extending internal combustion engine. The Li-ion battery placed in the bottom center of the vehicle could be swapped from underneath the car during pit stops. Aluminum heat sinks in the rear efficiently dissipate heat away from the motor and battery while performing as a rear spoiler.  The front grille serves to communicate the Cadillac design philosophy and also serves as a functional aerodynamic enhancement.

Toyota's quake-hit Yaris plant offline for at least another month

Toyota's quake-hammered Miyagi assembly plant, which makes the Yaris small car for export to the United States, is expected to be offline for at least another month. Workers have completed repairs at the factory and restored electricity, but the facility cannot get supplies of natural gas, a person familiar with the situation said. The assessment underscores the long road facing Toyota and other Japanese automakers in bringing plants back into full operation following the deadly quake, which killed more than 11,000 people, ruptured gas lines, shutdown electric grids and snarled logistics across half the country.