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

Ford's NA Design Director aims to shorten product lifecycles

Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Company North America Design Director, has told Automotive News he intends to shorten product lifecycles at the ailing company from an average five years to three years starting this decade. "We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes," Horbury told the industry weekly. Ford needs to ensure that buyers continue visiting showrooms as the giant automaker struggles to retain market share.

Infiniti M35 Hybrid revealed

The Infiniti M35 Hybrid - due to launch in 2011 The M35 Hybrid is based on the Infiniti M which was revealed recently at Pebble Beach. It will feature a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine coupled to an electric motor by a clutch, which means the drive goes through the propshaft to the rear wheels whatever mix of power source is being used. The M35 Hybrid is a mild hybrid, with the electric motor being used to boost the petrol engine when maximum power is called for, as well as charging the battery and recovering energy that would otherwise be lost under braking and acceleration.

BMW, Mercedes consider return to 4-bangers in U.S. market

Facing stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States. BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Mercedes-Benz had four-cylinder engines on the 2005 C230 and SLK230 but dropped them in favor of six-cylinder models.