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

F1 Budget Cap – No two-tier system says Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone says there will be no two-tier system in the F1 budget cap row [ad#ad-1] All eyes have gone off the stunning start to this year’s F1 circus with the news that Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and several other teams have threatened to quit F1 next year in protest at the budget cap proposal and the two-tier system that appears to create. In a nutshell, the FIA – lead by Max Mosley – has imposed a £40 million cap on F1 team expenditure for next year (excluding driver costs, marketing costs and transport), but has said that teams who don’t adhere to the cap can still compete, but will be handicapped. Not surprisingly, the richer teams have objected and, on the face of it, it starts to look as if F1 as we know it is going to bite the dust.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG (2013) first official pictures

If you liked the ballistic performance of Mercedes' 355bhp A45 AMG but couldn’t bring yourself to drive a hotted-up hatchback, then take a look at this: the new CLA 45 AMG. Using an identical 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and four-wheel drive system, the CLA mixes the storming performance of its hatchback brother with mini-CLS four-door coupe looks. Read on for the full specification.

Toyota Auris Touring Sports: Paris 2012

Toyota has revealed the first estate version of the Auris – the 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports – at the Paris Motor Show. It’s a sensible move by Toyota to add an estate version to a car that competes in a segment where 25 per cent of all cars sold are estates, and the Auris Estate looks a decent offering. The Auris Touring Sports sits on the same 2600mm wheelbase as the Auris hatch, but it gets and extra 285mm longer thanks to the new shed on the back, a shed that offers what looks like a decent carrying capacity )although Toyota aren’t actually telling us how much ‘stuff’ the Auris estate can carry).