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

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Motown’s greatest hits – all the best cars from the Detroit Motor Show 2014

Detroit, heart of the American car industry, traditionally hosts the first motor show of the year each January. Officially known as the North American International Auto Show – or NAIAS – it’s a chance for carmakers to kick-start the coming 12 months with a bit of glamour and sparkle. And the 2014 Detroit Motor Show has not disappointed, with a substantial number of new debuts and a chance to see some existing favourites, too.

LA Motor Show: Ford Edge spin-off headed for Europe

FORD HAS given European audiences an unusual teaser by revealing its new Edge large SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, before adding that it will come to Europe - with as-yet unconfirmed changes. The car is officially only a concept, as evidenced by the wild interior design. The exterior, however, has been tipped by Ford insiders to be more or less production-ready for North America.