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

General Motors to keep green car technology in house

For the first time in its 100-year history, General Motors plans to design, develop and manufacture electric motors for its growing array of gasoline-electric hybrids and electric vehicles. The electric motors used in GM's current lineup of hybrids are made to GM specifications by outside vendors. GM wants to bring the design and manufacturing in-house to save money and to apply its own technology to boost performance, lower weight and reduce power consumption, said Larry Nitz, GM's chief hybrid powertrain engineer.

BMW Vision Gran Turismo

Ok, so it's only a virtual car for the computer game with which it shares its name, but the BMW Vision Gran Turismo is the result of a project undertaken by the BMW design and engineering departments in Munich. Loosely based around the 2 Series, the car is a neat amalgamation of current BMW design themes and the flamboyance of 1970s touring cars. You don't have to look too hard to see the influence of the CSL Batmobile and fire-spitting E21 320i Turbos.

VAT-free Alto offer extended

YOUNG car buyers have some early festive cheer to celebrate, with the announcement that Suzuki has extended its ‘VAT-free’ offer on the cute Alto city car model until the end of the year. The deal effectively takes £1,200 off the list price of the entry-level Alto SZ. That makes the five-door runabout just £5,999 to buy, and with a low deposit of £779 it can be driven away for £99 per month.