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

Audi A1 Quattro models ‘on the way’

Audi has confirmed it is testing four-wheel drive Quattro versions of the A1 – indicating an imminent expansion of Audi’s supermini range. Although showcased as this one-off at a Quattro publicity event in Montreal, Canada, to celebrate 30 years of the all-corner drive system, Ingolstadt acknowledged at last autumn’s 2010 Paris motor show that Quattro versions of the A1 were in the pipeline. The production A1 Quattro will use the Haldex differential to split drive to both axles; it’s a similar technology to that found in A3 and TT Quattros, as opposed to the mechanical Torsen diff found in larger Quattro models.

News watch June 2010: today's auto industry news

Welcome to CAR Magazine's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour Wednesday 30 June 2010• Tesla shares have rocketed 40% on their first day of trading; the company went public this week with the first IPO of an American car company since Ford in the 1950s (BBC News)• GM may sell off its interests in finance arm GMAC and parts supplier Delphi as it seeks to write down its debts (Financial Times)• A Federal judge has approved the $20m sale of a former GM plant in Wilmington to Fisker Automotive; Fisker hopes to build 100,000 cars a year once production hits a peak after launch in 2012. It is using a $529m government loan to fund its launch (Detroit News)Tuesday 29 June 2010• UK business secretary Vince Cable has warned that the car industry is no longer in an emergency – and cannot expect direct government support.

Kia reveals VR7 spec for 2014 Kia Picanto, Rio and Cee’d models

Kia reveals new VR7 spec for the 2014 cee’d, Picanto and Rio Kia already offers value for money across its range, but the new VR7 trim level for the Picanto, Rio and Cee’d offers even more for even less. All the Kia VR7 models get the same basic additions to the standard spec – AirCon, Bluetooth, alloys, reversing sensors, heated door mirrors and electric windows – with individual models getting additional extra tweaks. The Kia Picanto VR7 – as a three or five door with the 1,0 litre petrol engine – starts at £8795 and adds better upholstery, chrome door handles and a new front grill whilst the Kia Rio VR7 can be had with either the 1.1 litre diesel of 1.25 litre petrol and adds body coloured bumpers, new door handles and mirrors and more safety features to the list.