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

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Toyota charity puts boots on the ground in Detroit

For the second year in a row, Toyota has chosen to celebrate the opening of the Detroit auto show with a philanthropic gesture. In order to help homeless women and children in the Detroit area, Toyota's “Walk in my Boots” community project will partner with Moosejaw, a Michigan-based outdoor retailer, to donate new boots to residents of The Salvation Army Denby Center for Children and Family Services in Detroit. Toyota will also be providing a luncheon buffet for the residents when they deliver the boots and donating $10,000 to the facility to help with operations' costs.

McLaren MP4-12C: Fastest round the Top Gear track – EVER

McLaren MP4-12C - destroys the Top Gear Track With plenty of information now floating around on the performance of the McLaren MP4-12C, it’s pretty clear that most feel it to be a quite exceptional car. There do seem to be a few moans about its rather generic design (although that will stop it dating quickly) and some have complained that the MP4-12C doesn’t have the magic a 458 has. Which may have more to do with the different natures of the British and Italians than anything else.