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

Auto-safety history gets its place in the Smithsonian

Smithsonian museum officials say their new collection of auto-safety objects dating to the 1930s is about America's love affair with its cars. But really it's about our passion for, well, staying alive. While some enthusiasts might question whether their cars should be braking for them, it's hard to quarrel with most of this technology.

(Another) Audi A3 e-tron hybrid at Geneva 2013

The Audi A3 e-tron – a hybrid A3 EV based on the A3 Sportback – will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as a concept. This Audi A3 e-tron isn’t a pointless electric supercar – like the R8 e-tron – or another rollout of the A3 e-tron BEV, but a hybrid A3 with a proper ICE engine coupled to an electric motor, just like the A3 e-tron concept we saw in Shanghai in 2011 That still means a lot of complicated and heavy technology to game the silly official economy tests and come up with ‘official’ economy figures of 158mpg and 35g/km, but the A3 e-tron would – if it were made – offer big tax breaks for company car drivers. The A3 e-tron gets a 1.4 litre direct injection petrol engine good for 148bhp working with an electric motor good for an extra 100bhp.

New Mercedes SLK caught testing

The next generation (2012) Mercedes SLK caught testing at the Nurburgring The next generation SLK looks to be more aggressive in stance, with a nose that takes on the family theme from the new Mercedes E-Class. It seems likely that the new SLK will come with a new set of engines, with more than a passing nod to eco-concerns. In will come a 1.6 litre, four-pot supercharged engine that will pick up the mantle from the old 1.8 litre Kompressor engine – same power – or more – with lower emissions and better economy.