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

Will your next new car stop itself?

Last week in Park City, Utah, a group of us were discussing the chutzpah that some manufacturers have in charging hundreds of dollars for outboard mirrors that dip downward when the vehicle's placed in reverse. The consensus was, “Since the electric motors in the mirrors are already there, and the computers know the car's set to back up, it's only a line of code. A very expensive line of code.” The European Union seems to be thinking along the same lines.

Honda Civic Type R UK sales to cease

The Honda Civic Type R is dead. Or it is at least in Europe, as the high-revving, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine that powers Honda's hot hatch can't meet forthcoming emissions requirements  That's right – the Civic Type R can’t meet the latest Euro5 emissions regulations that come into force at the end of 2010, meaning in the UK and most other European countries (a tiny handful have Euro5 exemption) the Civic Type R will cease to be. If you live outside Europe then you’re still in luck as the Swindon-built Type R will continue to be sold in markets as far afield as Australia and South Africa.

Alfa Romeo 4C (2012) more official pictures

Yes, yes - it's only a new paint job on the Alfa Romeo 4C concept car. But the 4C remains one of our favourite show cars in recent years, so we're only too happy to show off its new Fluid Metal colour scheme. The 4C will be shown again at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show on 13 September.