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

One Lap of the Web: The Weird World of Wheels

-- Introducing the greatest television show you've never heard of: "Operation: Mystery!" Imagine if the "X-Files" took place in 1960s Japan, and had its own cool custom car the heroes rolled around in: the Tortoise, a pudgy little thing that resembled the unholy combination of an Opel GT and a Dustbuster. It was bulletproof (not really), had gullwing doors (really) and was based on a Subaru 360 (really!). Sadly, its whereabouts are unknown, and it might have disappeared into the ether along with the UFOs its heroes probably investigated.

SEAT Ibiza FR TDI announced

The three and five door versions of the SEAT Ibiza FR TDI ‘Sporty’ and Diesel’ were two words that never used to go together. But as diesel engines become more and more compelling car makers are keen to add performance diesel versions to their range. More torque and better fuel consumption are reason enough to run a diesel these days for a daily drive, but when performance figures actually make the diesel fun it’s hard to argue against.

BMW i3 EV takes to the race track (video)

BMW i3 EV takes to the race track (video) The BMW i3 EV City Car finally got revealed in July in production guise, and it’s a clever car if not exactly a looker. With a lightweight inner body made from carbon fibre and an electric motor that offers 168 bhp and an instant 184lb/ft of torque it has more than enough power to keep up with traffic in any city. Sadly, the i3 hasn’t done particularly well in Euro NCAP tests but that hasn’t stopped orders for the i3 exceeding anything BMW could have reasonably expected.