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

Jaguar F-Type V8 S sprint test in Jabbeke – then off to Geneva 2013 in convoy + video

Jaguar has taken the new F-Type V8 S to Jabbeke for sprint testing then on to Geneva in convoy with XK 120, C-type, D-type and E-type sports cars. So Jaguar took the F-Type off to Jabbeke, Belgium – where Jaguar’s test driver Norman Dewis managed a world record flying mile speed of 172.4mph in an XK 120 60 years ago – and put Le Mans driver Andy Wallace in the driver’s seat to see how quickly the F-Type V8 S would go. Andy had just a two mile stretch of closed road to play with the F-Type and yet managed a 0-179-0 with a clocked time of 4.2 seconds to 62mph on the way.

Audi A3 gets more powerful 2.0 litre TDI & LED lights

The Audi A3 (pictured) gets a new 181bhp TDI and LED headlights It still seems astonishing that car makers can match really quite powerful performance with almost parsimonious fuel consumption, but modern turbo diesels and high pressure fuel injection are delivering seemingly silly combinations of performance and economy. Like the 2.0 litre diesel Audi are now offering in the new A3. The new 2.0 litre diesel, which is now available on the new A3 and Sportback (with the A3 saloon to follow) – gets a very decent 181bhp and 280lb/ft of torque, which is enough to hit 62mph in just 7.3 seconds.

New Mercedes CLA helps Daimler to 16% profit jump

The new Mercedes CLA (pictured) help Mercedes to a 16% profit jump. There’s an argument that the move in to more compact car sales by premium car makers will see their turnover rise and their profits fall as more compact cars tend to work on smaller margins than high-end luxury cars. But Mercedes has defied that logic by posting a 16 per cent increase in profits for the third quarter of 2013, boosted by sales of the new compact coupé – the Mercedes CLA.