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

Let-off for 29-point takeaway driver

A TAKEAWAY driver found using an unsafe car has been given 18 penalty points in one hit, but is still allowed to get behind the wheel. Ala Udin pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences when he appeared before magistrates in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales. The 44-year-old father turned up to court with 11 points already on his licence and knowing that getting just one more would tip him over the ban threshold.

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Refreshed 2015 Dodge Challenger gets a 485-hp 6.4-liter V8, Scat Pack trims

Chrysler has pulled the covers off the 2015 Dodge Challenger at the New York auto show, and though the styling is more or less unchanged, the big news is a big, new V8 option. No, it's not the rumored supercharged “Hellcat” mill, but the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 under the hood of the Challenger 6.4-liter Scat Pack variant should be good for 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. Plus, you'll have something to talk about with the guys rolling around in 2014 Ram Power Wagons, which also get that bigger motor in the new model year.