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

2014 European Car of the Year finalists revealed. Could the Mercedes S-Class win?

Could the 2014 Mercedes S-Class (pictured) win the Car of the Year? We’re at the end of 2013, so the time has arrived to take a look at the finalists for the 2014 European Car of the Year award. In the last few years, despite Europe producing some of the most impressive luxury and performance cars on the planet, the Car of the Year Award has gone to much more prosaic machinery.

Is the 2013 Aston Martin Rapide getting more power and a facelift?

The rumours are growing that Aston Martin are giving the Rapide a makeover for 2013 with more power and cosmetic tweaks. The rumours have been bubbling around for a while that Aston Martin are planning a more powerful Rapide for 2013, perhaps the Rapide S. But that rumour seems to be only partly true, as it looks like the Rapide is going to get more power – and a bit of a cosmetic tweak – but as a facelift and upgrade for the existing Rapide rather than a new Rapide S.

Pfadt Race Engineering Cadillac ATS hits 162.5 at Texas Mile

Pfadt Race Engineering is claiming it has the world's fastest Cadillac ATS after clocking 162.5 mph in the standing mile at the latest Texas Mile event in Beeville. Pfadt used the turbocharged four-cylinder ATS as a starting point and upgraded the turbo, intercooler, suspension and exhaust. Pfadt says the engine improvements are responsible for adding more than 100 extra hp in the lightweight luxury sedan, which starts with 272 hp.