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

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Now it’s the Hyundai Veloster in Harrods’ window

Harrods is hosting a ‘Korea Loves London – Innovation and Technology 2012’ exhibition and the centrepiece of the window display is a Hyundai Veloster. This isn’t the first time Hyundai has had a spot in a Harrods window. Two years ago, when the Hyundai ix35 was fresh and new, Hyundai took over a window at Harrods to show off its compact SUV to the visiting shoppers, perhaps in the hope one or two would grab one for the Nanny.

Three-cylinder Ford Focus is pushed to show off performance potential

Ford has plans to bring a three-cylinder EcoBoost engine to its U.S. lineup in a bit more than a year from now, likely in the Fiesta. But for a car-buying population that thrives on horsepower and 0-to-60-mph times, it might be hard to get excited by a 1.0-liter three-banger.