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

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Chrysler in crisis

By Liz Turner, in the US Motor Industry 02 March 2007 04:28 The trouble with Chrysler: the background In 1996 when Chrysler opened its $1.1bn headquarters in Auburn Hills, 30 miles north of Detroit, executives joked that if things didn’t work out, they could always sell it as a shopping mall. Following DaimlerChrysler’s annual press conference on 14 February, local realtors are, no doubt, sneaking in to take measurements. Chrysler Group announced a staggering operating loss of $1.5 billion for 2006, and in the subsequent question time, DaimlerChrysler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche said the company ‘will examine far-reaching strategic options with partners’.

Volvo partnership to improve cyclist safety

Volvo has teamed up with an extreme sports company in a bid to improve safety between cars and cyclists. The manufacturer has signed an agreement with Swedish firm POC – a company that develops high-tech protective sports gear. On Bing: see pictures of the Volvo XC Concept Coupé Find out how much a used Volvo costs on Auto Trader Research between the new partnership will initially concentrate on communication between cars and cyclists.