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

Only the top is soft in new Audi A5/S5 cabriolet

Audi is bucking the trend among luxury automakers who are churning out hardtop convertibles, as the new A5/S5 cabriolets that will reach these shores in October will be the old-fashioned, soft-top design. While other manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Volvo, among others, offer folding hard-tops, Audi says the compromise necessary to make room for the top and all its mechanical apparatus makes a soft-top the right choice for a small to mid-size convertible. The soft top is well insulated; even during a steady rain during our first drive of the car, the cabin was relatively quiet.

Pforzheim University Winter Degree Show 2009

Transportation Design students at Germany's Pforzheim University displayed their work in the school's summer degree show last month, one of two graduation shows held every year by the renowned college. The exhibition included work from graduating Diploma and Masters students, first- and second-semester Masters students, as well as exterior and interior projects by the fifth- and seventh-semester BA students. The newly introduced Bachelor course covers the Transportation Design program in seven semesters (replacing the eight-semester Diploma course) with students embarking on specialized transportation projects in their second semester.

Lotus 'Eagle' (2009): first pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 15 July 2008 19:00 This is the long-awaited new Lotus 2+2, with a 3.5-litre Toyota V6 and four apparently useable seats. It's the first new Lotus for 13 years and a pretty significant launch, due for its show debut at the 2008 London motor show later this month on 22 July 2008. That's when we’ll find out the name of this new Lotus – codenamed Eagle – but in the meantime the company is teasing us with some new details.