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

Acura ZDX to be discontinued after 2013 model year

If you're in the market for a new Acura ZDX, consider heading to a dealership soon: Acura has announced that they will discontinue the crossover after the 2013 model year. The all-wheel drive ZDX, which shares a platform with the more conventional Acura MDX, will reportedly sign off with a “single, value-added package.” In other words, the crossover will only be sold in one configuration—which happens to be heavily loaded with luxury features including 10-speaker surround sound, an eight-inch display with integrated rearview camera system and heated, ventilated front seats. Safety-oriented technology like forward-collision warning and lane-departure-warning systems will make their ZDX debut as well.

New Mercedes SL 400 replaces SL 350

The new Mercedes SL 400 (pictured) replaces the old SL 350 It’s a little over two years since the latest Mercedes SL arrived, and Mercedes has now decided to add a little zest to sales by dropping the old SL 350 and replacing it with a new Mercedes SL 400. The new SL 400 gets its power from the new E400 which means a twin-turbo 3.0 litre V6 with 328bhp and 354 lb/ft of torque – 26bhp and 81 lb/ft more than the old SL 350 – enough to let the SL 400 scoot to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds – 0.7s better than the 350 -= and on to a limited top speed of 155 mph. The new SL 400 has to make do with Mercedes tried and tested 7-speed auto – despite a new 9-speed now being available in Mercedes’ arsenal – which gives the SL 400 official economy of 38.6 mpg and emissions of 172g/km – not that you’ll come close in the real world.

Build the C-class in Alabama? Mercedes will decide by January

Daimler AG will decide by January whether to shift some C-class passenger-car production to its U.S. factory in Vance, Ala. “It's no secret that a decision for the new C-class has to be made in the near future,” and that includes expansion of production, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said Thursday during a briefing with journalists.