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

CES opens with fewer big wheels, including carmakers

There are some grumblings that the annual CES is becoming less relevant in this era of 24-hour news and instant globalization of information on the internet. And you can make a good argument that the relevance of the world's largest consumer electronics show is at least evolving, for carmakers as well as for other industry giants. It has always been an industry only show, with no public -- the “consumers” in "consumer electronics" -- allowed.

Land Rover sending more Range Rover Evoques to the US

Land Rover are increasing the supply of the new Range Rover Evoque to the US by a third to help meet demand. In the land where cubic inches are king and any SUV smaller than a Hummer isn’t really an SUV, it’s amazing that the dinky Range Rover Evoque is a hit – but it is. From sales of just 2,200 Evoques in 2011, Land Rover has managed to shift twice that in the first six months of 2012, and Land Rover dealers are still complaining they can’t get enough Evoques to meet demand.

Subaru XV gets a price cut – down by £1300 on 1.6 litre versions

It wasn’t a bad starting point for an able mid-sized crossover – a high-riding Impreza, in all but name –  but it wasn’t the cheapest offering in the class. But now, with the Yen being a bit kinder to Japanese car makers, Subaru has decided to nudge the price a bit lower to start the XV range off below £20k for the first time. The price drop for the XV only applies to the 1.6 litre petrol versions, but you can now get the entry-level XV 1.6i S for a more affordable £19,995 rising to £23,415 for the XV 1.6i SE with the Lineartronic gearbox, reductions across the range of £1300.