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

2009’s 10 most fuel-efficient cars in America: The AutoWeek list

Toyota Prius Hybrid 46 mpg combined Base price: $22,720 Our take: The perennial mpg all-star takes the crown again for 2009. Honda Civic Hybrid 42 mpg combined Base price: $24,320 Our take: Another top contender in reliability and fuel economy, the Honda Civic Hybrid is a smart choice. Smart Fortwo Coupe 36 mpg combined Base price: $12,635 Our take: This funky coupe is the least expensive on our list, proving you can be green without spending it.

Jason Castriota to head Saab Design

When Car Design News spoke to Jason Castriota about the new design consultancy he had set up in New York and Turin back in March, the designer told us he was working on a very exciting automotive project that he couldn't talk about at the time. It turns out that automotive project was for Saab, as last week the Swedish automaker announced it had hired Jason Castriota Design to oversee the development of a new generation of Saab products – the first to be completed under the tenure of its new owners, Spyker. Castriota's new appointment marks the shift from Saab's former position – where the brand was an integrated company within GM – to its newfound placement as an independent automaker, with Castriota essentially filling the role previously occupied by Mark Adams, GM Europe's Vice President of Design.

Watch a reverse car jump record get broken

Jumping a car from ramp to ramp while driving forward takes a quite a bit of skill, but at least you can see where you're going. But what about jumping a car backwards? We honestly had no idea that a Guinness World Record existed for the Farthest Reverse Ramp Jump by a Car, so imagine our surprise when we learned that professional skateboarder and MTV personality Rod Dyrdek set out to break that record at Six Flags Magic Mountain using a Chevrolet Sonic.