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

Used cars 'getting cheaper'

CONSUMERS holding on to their motor for longer are driving down the cost of used cars, according to new research. The average price for a second-hand car in July-September 2011 was £8,870 - a 2.4% decline compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Auto Trader company. It is the first time the price has dipped below £9,000 since the company started tracking the market in January 2010.

Honda Urban SUV Concept tease previews new baby Honda SUV

Honda has revealed a single sketch of an Urban SUV Concept that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show and previews a new baby SUV. The compact SUV, and sub-compact SUV market are growing strongly as car buyers eschew traditional small saloons and hatchbacks in favour of something perceived as a bit more rugged and more able to negotiate the urban jungle. So the tease photos of the Honda Urban SUV Concept – which will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2013 – is pointing directly at a new baby Honda SUV likely to hit car showrooms in a couple of years time, and likely to be based on the new Honda Jazz.

Vehicles connect at Michigan International Speedway

The Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan International Speedway have joined forces to help in the development of a connected-vehicle system. In the future, it will help cars communicate with each other on the road to avoid crashes and increase safety. The speedway, located in Brooklyn, Mich., will allow organizations such as the Connected Vehicle Proving Center and the Center for Automotive Research to use the track as a test road for the new technology.