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

Mercedes try to 'bring the noise' back to F1

MERCEDES trialled a device aimed at amplifying and improving the much-maligned sound made by the 2014 marque Formula One cars on the second day of testing in Barcelona. With new V6 engines forming part of an overhaul in F1 regulations, widespread criticism of the dulcet tones has continued from the opening race of the season in Australia. With F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone amongst those to question the enjoyment of listening to the new engines, the teams decided to look into ways of making it a more pleasurable experience.

Toyota to build Corollas at revived Mississippi plant starting in late 2011

Toyota will resume construction on its mothballed plant in Mississippi and begin producing the Corolla there late next year. “We first needed to fully utilize our existing facilities as the economy slowed,” Yoshimi Inaba, president of Toyota Motor North America, said in a statement Thursday. “Now it's time to fulfill Toyota's promise in Mississippi.” The automaker said it will hire 2,000 workers “soon.” Corolla output would mark another shift for the project.

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.