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

Porsche Panamera to receive long-wheelbase treatment for 2012

Porsche is developing a long-wheelbase version of the Panamera in a bid to satisfy demand for greater rear-seat legroom from customers in North American and China. Details remain sketchy, but insiders at the company's research and development center in Germany have indicated to AutoWeek that the 115-inch wheelbase of today's Panamera will be extended by almost five inches, taking it up to nearly 120 inches. By comparison, the long-wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz S-class boasts a 124-inch wheelbase.

Tesla Model S fire – are petrol or electric cars safer?

Tesla Tesla Model S fire – are petrol or electric cars safer? Last week, a Tesla Model S all-electric luxury car like that pictured above caught fire. Lithium-ion batteries – similar to those powering the Tesla – have developed something of a reputation for spontaneous combustion in recent years, including notable incidents involving not only mobile phones and laptop computers but also the Boeing Dreamliner ‘super jumbo’ passenger aircraft.

Analysis: why GM is pulling Chevrolet out of Europe

The news that Chevrolet is to leave the western European car market (while staying in eastern Europe and Russia) is not a huge surprise, but it provides an interesting contrast to the success of fellow Koreans, Hyundai and Kia. “Fellow Koreans?” you might say, “but isn’t Chevrolet American?” Yes and no. The Chevrolets we were getting were all made in Korea in the factories that used to be owned by Daewoo, except for the handful of Camaros and Corvettes, which were authentically American.