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

Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid design sketches leak out

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 19 February 2009 09:28 These pictures allegedly reveal the production-spec Opel/Vauxhall Ampera a fortnight ahead of its Geneva show debut. A Spanish website claims to have stumbled across the technical design sketches at a European patent office and – if authentic – they spill the beans on the new plug-in hybrid electric concept car that’s bound for a showroom near you within two years. The Ampera is Opel/Vauxhall’s version of the Chevrolet Volt, the breakthrough car that could just save GM if it survives its current crisis.

Dodge to stop Viper production next July, new car set for 2012

The future of the Dodge Viper came into focus on Wednesday during Chrysler's strategy briefing for media and analysts. Ralph Gilles, recently named chief of the Dodge car brand, said that production of the current Viper production will cease at the end of next July. The final 500 cars have been earmarked to be special vehicles, Gilles said.

There's a 2015 Ford Mustang convertible on the way, too

Almost immediately after the Ford Mustang debuted, buyers could choose from three body styles -- a hardtop, a rag-top convertible and a fastback (which actually came out a few months later than the hardtop and convertible). We already knew that the 2015 Mustang will arrive as a fastback (sorry, notchback partisans), but Ford has just announced that a drop-top version is also in the works. Pictures of the convertible sport a shiny "5.0" badge on the side and and chrome "GT" badge on the back, but we assume all the standard engines -- the 5.0-liter V8, 3.7-liter V6 and that new 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four -- will be offered.