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

VW Polo GTI (2010): first news and photos

Volkswagen has just issued these first photos of the new 2010 Polo GTI. It uses the 1.4-litre TSI engine with turbo- and supercharging to liberate a stocky 178bhp – enough to make the Polo GTI into a proper little pocket rocket.The first hot Polo was the supercharged G40 of 1986, but that developed a relatively weedy 112bhp. The new 2010-spec Volkswagen Polo GTI is powerful enough to hit 62mph in 6.9sec and reach a 142mph V-max.

Charity calls for parking on pavements ban

Campaigners are calling for a change in the law that would ban vehicles from parking on pavements. The Guide Dogs charity has branded drivers that block the pavement “inconsiderate and dangerous”, with seven out of 10 people backing restrictions that would keep the footpath clear for pedestrians. Parking wardens given ‘illegal’ bonus targets Driverless cars on UK pavements by 2015 Speaking to the BBC, Guide Dogs’ campaigns manager James White: “It can be frightening for anyone who is forced to step into a road because the pavement is blocked by a van, car or other badly parked vehicle.

Concept Car of the Week: Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino (1987)

In 1987, Chrysler purchased the bankrupt Italian carmaker Lamborghini to add an exotic brand to its portfolio. In celebration of its acquisition, Chrysler announced it would unveil a futuristic concept car at the Frankfurt motor show bearing a unique logo with the Italian raging bull framed inside Chrysler's famous Pentastar. It was during an internal aerodynamic study that designer Kevin Verduyn drew the lines of a four-seater sedan concept called the Navajo.