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

Audi readies flagship Sport Quattro concept for Frankfurt

Audi will unveil its new Sport Quattro concept at next month's Frankfurt motor show, previewed in a number of sketches. We first saw the Quattro concept back in 2010 at the Paris motor show and three years later the carmaker has produced another iteration, a 2+2 coupé, that measures in at 4,699mm – 419mm longer than the Quattro concept (4,280mm). From what the sketches show, the Sport Quattro retains the chunky C-pillar of the 2010 Quattro concept, the 1984 Sport Quattro and the original Ur-Quattro models, while the four headlamp units are another nod to the original.

VW Phaeton - the new one coming in 2015

A brand new Volkswagen Phaeton Mk2 will be launched in 2015, based on a new architecture being masterminded by cousins Audi. Dubbed VW631, the new VW Phaeton will be based on MLM Evo (modular longitudinal matrix) which makes provision for a plug-in hybrid option, an aluminium-intensive body structure and a much more advanced and less nose-heavy dynamic layout. Although VW chairman Martin Winterkorn has in the past black-flagged the Avantissimo (A8-based) and the Passat Variant Plus (A6-derived), there is still a lot to be said for a second more practical bodystyle in addition to the four-door notch which is almost compulsory in this segment.

Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.