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

Merc to revive straight six, plus 4cyl and smaller V8s

Mercedes has just signed off a new engine family which will see most full-sized Mercs in future run four-cylinders, downsized V8s and… straight sixes. A friendly Mercedes engineer recently met CAR to disclose the engine plans for future models, including the surprise disclosure that Merc plans to switch to straight sixes, like its rivals over in Munich.  It's fair to say I almost choked on my breakfast croissant when I found out the details of the next MB engine generation which has just been signed off for release in 2015. Mercedes' future four-cylinder engines Again, there will be a family of new low-cost fours, and the big-bore V8s will be replaced by a series of downsized turbocharged 4.0-litre units.

Tesco Cars shuts up shop

Tesco Cars closed for business A year after launching Tesco Cars in conjunction with Carsite, Tesco reveals it is to close the used car operation. Tesco Cars was one of the latest Tesco sideways moves to use its vast revenues to dominate more and more business sectors in the UK. But it’s come to an ignominious end just twelve months after it was launched, piggy-backing on the existing Carsite business to try and flog used cars to customers who would rather deal with a big supermarket than a back street car lot.

Toyota unveils SEMA show Dream Build Challenge cars

Toyota's SEMA show plans this year are egalitarian: they include cars involved with two separate contests on which you, the custom car enthusiast, can vote online to your heart's content. Four cars took part in the Toyota Dream Build, now in its second year. Last year, Toyota's Dream Build enlisted people from the world of NHRA and NASCAR, who all came up with some extremely rad stuff.