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

Japanese Porsche tuner RAUH-Welt Begriff brings its creations to the U.S.

When Akira Nakai started tuning cars more than 15 years ago, it was to have something different than everyone else. He had a global vision, and it was RAUH-Welt, which is “rough world” in German. “[I] had this vision in my mind,” Nakai said through his interpreter Ichiraku Toshiya.

E85 makes inroads on cost and availability

Three years ago, we embarked on a Midwest road trip in search of what was then the Holy Grail of fuel: E85. Our findings weren't too positive--there were far more E85-compatible vehicles on the road in 2006 (5 million) than there were E85 pumps to fuel them (about 700 out of some 200,000 fuel stations nationwide). In addition, those burning the mix of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol were paying a pretty penny for their earth-friendly ways, losing about 15 percent in fuel economy while often paying the same price as for regular unleaded.

Executive touch for Volkswagen Passat

THE POPULAR Volkswagen Passat has been given two new generously equipped trim levels to mark its final months of production. It is due to be replaced by an all-new model within the next year, so in an effort to sell off as many as possible before that time, Volkswagen has introduced the Executive and Executive Style trim levels in place of the previous Highline. Both the saloon and the estate body styles can be ordered with the new specification.