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

Petrol sales '25% lower than 2008'

Petrol sales have plunged in the first half of this year – but diesel sales have risen sharply. Retail petrol sales for the period January to June dipped 5.8% compared with the same period last year, Government figures highlighted by the AA showed. The numbers amount to a fall of 512 million litres.

Audi SQ5 costs £43,870 in UK

The diesel Audi ‘RS’ Q5 – the Audi SQ5 – with 309bhp and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, will cost £43,870 when it arrives in the UK in spring 2013. That means Audi’s 3.0 litre V6 BiTurbo TDI with a healthy 309bhp and 479lb/ft of torque, enough to deliver the SQ5 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 155mph and deliver an official economy figure (although you’ll never get it) of over 40mpg. The power goes through an eight-speed tiptronic ‘box to all four wheels and you get a sound actuator in the exhaust to give you a non-diesely roar. Audi has also dropped the suspension on the SQ5 by 30mm compared to the regular Q5 S Line for a more sporty manner, and if you opt for Audi’s Drive Select Adaptive Dynamics you’ll also get  Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency modes (and an Individual mode too if you opt for HDD SatNav as well) which alter the steering, transmission, throttle and even the exhaust actuator to suit.

Suzuki XA Alpha concept

The XA Alpha concept 2012 was unveiled at the New Dehli Auto Expo by Suzuki and its Indian collaborator, Maruti. Although little information has been released, rumors circling the show floor suggest that it is underpinned by the Swift platform. Similar in size to Nissan's Juke, the XA Alpha is pitched at India's youth market, although the show car's suicide doors and highly detailed lamp graphics are unlikely to reach showrooms.