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

VW Golf R leaks ahead of Frankfurt

The 2010 VW Golf R with 265bhp and 4Motion It won’t surprise you to learn that VW has dropped the heavy and thirsty (though quick) 3.2 litre V6 in the last hot Golf in favour of the 2.0 litre turbo found in the Scirocco. This engine deliver 265 bhp and should give the Golf R a 0-60mph of around 6.3 seconds – or less with the DSG ‘box. The Golf R will also get VW’s 4Motion all wheel drive to add to the mix, and a raft of styling changes.

Google reveals its first self-driving car prototype (video)

Google’s first self-driving car prototype (pictured) Google might not be the first company that springs to mind as a car maker, but Tesla has already proved that Silicon Valley can produce a car that buyers want and Google are intent on following a similar route. But where Tesla’s USP is its long-range electric capabilities – and a desire to build cars for the market – Google’s goal is more technology orientated and is all about developing self-driving car technology that works in the real world. For the last few years, Google has been experimenting with existing cars kitted out with self-driving gubbins, but now they’ve taken the next step and built their own self-driving prototype.

Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC wins MPG Marathon

The winners of the MPG Marathon in the Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC Last year Honda took the CR-V 1.6i-DTEC out MPG Marathon playing, and managed to return an impressive 78mpg in a car the official figures say should do 63mpg, disproving (to a point) that cars just can’t achieve official economy figures in the real world. This time it’s the turn of the new Honda Civic Tourer with the latest 1.6 i-DTEC ‘Earth Dreams’ engine to go out and eke every possible inch of tarmac from every single drop of petrol. In the hands of Honda R&D engineers Fergal McGrath, James Warren, Tony Shiggins and Julian Warren, the Civic Tourer drove a total of 330 miles and managed to do 97.2mpg – an impressive 31.8 per cent more than the official average.