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

Audi shows S3 Sportback (2013) – but is a used S3 a better buy?

Here’s Audi’s S3 Sportback, the five-door version of the 296bhp Quattro hot hatch unveiled last year. The S3 Sportback takes 5sec flat to accelerate from 0 to 62mph, that’s one-tenth of a second quicker than Audi’s official figure for its three-door stablemate. That’s because the initial 5.1sec S3 time was only an estimate, and Audi’s subsequent tests have shown the three-door S3 actually dipping below five seconds in the 0-62mph sprint.

Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive starts at $42,375

Even though the gas-powered Mercedes-Benz B-class has been out in Canada for a few years now, long enough to receive a facelift, we Americans will be getting the compact MPV in electric form only. Sales of the B-class Electric Drive will start this summer with the BMW i3 in its sights. Here's what buyers can expect when this tall four-door electric hatch silently rolls into dealership showrooms.

Mercedes ESF 2009 Concept

The Mercedes ESF 2009 Concept showcases a raft of new safety technology So Mercedes has unveiled the Mercedes ESF 2009 Concept, which is a test-bed to showcase the latest technology Mercedes sees as on its way to mainstream. Mercedes has based the ESF Concept on the latest addition to the Mercedes S-Class Range – the S400 Hybrid – and has packed it to the rafters with airbags. There’s one that pops up between front seat passengers; airbags actually in the seatbelts and one great big airbag under the car that inflates if a crash is imminent.