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

New BMW 2-Series Active Tourer arrives as BMW’s first front-wheel-drive car (+video)

The new BMW 2-Series Active Tourer (pictured) arrives in the UK September 2014 Many will see it as sacrilege that the new BMW 2-Series Active Tourer MPV is front-wheel-drive, but pragmatists will see it as a sensible move to extend BMW’s depth of offerings. Whichever side you come down on, the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer – previewed by the BMW Concept Active Tourer at Paris in 2012 – is a production reality and does look like it will fill very well the space in BMW’s range for a compact MPV. Despite looks that are almost the opposite of what you’d expect from a BMW – stubby nose and a high roof line; a proper BMW take on the Mercedes B-Class – the 2-Series Active Tourer still manages to exude BMW style, albeit in a more practical way to the rest of the range.

Audi traffic light recognition technology to save you fuel

Audi has announced its online traffic light recognition system is now market ready. The idea of this is to help drivers hit green lights instead of red lights, thus saving both time and fuel. Called Audi Online Traffic Light Information, the technology was demonstrated in January at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and testing is also under way in Verona and Berlin.

Supercar owners hire runway to find top speed

“What’s the point of owning a supercar,” some might say. “You’ll never be able to reach its full performance potential on the road.” And while that’s true, there is an alternative to risking your driving licence if you buy a car like the new McLaren 650S or Lamborghini Huracan. Essentially, someone hires a private runway, and invites a load of supercar owners to drive as fast as they can before running out of tarmac.