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

GM expands brake-override safety feature

General Motors is significantly expanding the use of a brake-override safety feature in its cars through the end of 2012. GM announced on Monday that it will add the software, which it also calls “enhanced smart-pedal technology,” in all of its passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control. The change will reduce power to the engine when both the throttle and brakes are pressed at the same time.

A Pagani Zonda R For Sale – Track not included!

A Pagani Zonda R is up for grabs As we reported recently, Pagani has finally got round to officially launching the Pagani Zonda R, the ultimate performance Zonda (not that there’s anything wrong with the performance on the Zonda S or Zonda F or Zonda Cinque or…), which is a pure, track-only version of Pagani’s stunning supercar. As you would expect, there are only going to be a handful of Zonda Rs made and frankly, unless you have your own track (or own your own country), you’re not going to be able to use it to blat down to the pub on a Sunday lunchtime. But that small detail won’t stop the well-heeled petrol-head from digging deep to buy one.

Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.