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

BMW's new M engine needs a better voice

BMW's M division claims its new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine is every bit as good -- if not better -- than the glorious, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 powerplant it replaces in the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe. The figures are certainly impressive. They say it kicks out 424 hp and more than 25 percent extra torque, with what is described as significantly more than 369 lb-ft below 2,000 rpm.

Nissan-designed Santa’s sleigh

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 17 December 2008 14:30 Canadian designer Martin Uhlarik penned Nissan’s sleigh, which dispenses with reindeer altogether and can be used instead in conjunction with a rather faster steed, a Nissan GT-R. It’s quickly apparent that Nissan’s SC01 sledge will have a much greater load capacity than rival designs – and we’d certainly pull over fast if we saw this in our rear-view mirrors. Uhlarik is project design leader at Nissan’s Paddington design centre in London and was senior exterior designer on the Qashqai+2 and NV200 concept.

Audi A6, A6 Avant & A7 Black Edition launched

Audi has released Black Edition version of the A6 Saloon, A6 Avant and A7 with extra equipment and cosmetic tweaks. Audi has taken the S Line A6, A6 Avant and A7 and given them a ‘Black’ makeover for a special edition range that starts at £35k and carries on to almost £57k. Cosmetic and equipment additions over and above the regular S Line Spec include rotor-design alloys with a dark titanium finish (20″ on A6, 21″ on A7), black finish for the grill and window surrounds, privacy glass and black roof rails on the A6 Avant. Inside there’s Piano Black trim, black leather seats and black headlining.