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

Surprise Euro NCAP results released

THE BEST cars in class for safety have been announced by Euro NCAP - and there are some surprise results. Although not on sale in the UK yet, the Chinese-built Qoros 3 Sedan was the safest car tested by Euro NCAP all year. It is also the first car built in China to ever gain a five-star score in the tough crash tests of Euro NCAP.

New Range Rover Hybrid targeted at Europe: Frankfurt 2013

The new Range Rover Hybrid (pictured) has diesel power to target Europe It’s not the biggest news at Frankfurt, but the arrival of the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid is big news for Land Rover, and for buyers running cars who are subject to taxation on benefits. Surprisingly, Land Rover has gone the diesel route with the hybrid, coupling the 3.0 litre diesel engine to a 46bhp electric motor which, when working together, offers the same sort of performance as the V8 diesel engine but with much better economy and emissions – 44mpg and 169g/km. Logic would perhaps have dictated that the new hybrid should have a petrol engine, rather than a diesel, as the biggest hybrid markets in the world – the US and China – have no real appetite for diesel engines.

Audi S5 Sportback revealed

Audi are bringing the S5 Sportback to Frankfurt The S5 Sportback gets Audi’s 3.0 litre supercharged lump putting out 329bhp and delivering 324lb/ft of torque. Which will give the S5 Sportback performance of around 5.2 seconds to 60 mph. This change from big V8s is a shame, but it does result in better economy – estimates for the S5 S/B are pushing on 30mpg – and the reduced emissions help car makers like Audi lower their average emissions, and important consideration these days.