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

Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.

Bentley W12 (and Audi and VW) engine production centres on Crewe

The VW Group W12 engine will now only be made by Bentley in Crewe It’s probably not something you’ve paused to think about much, but if you did you’d assume that the Bentley W12 engine – fitted to the Flying Spur and Continental GT as well as the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton – was made only in Crewe. But you’d be wrong. In fact, the W12 for Bentleys are made in Crewe but those used in the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton are actually built by VW at their engine plant in Salzgitter.

Lexus LFA Nurburgring (2010) first official pictures

Lexus hasn’t even started production of the LFA supercar yet, but it’s already unveiled a limited edition version – the Lexus LFA Nurburgring. Built to celebrate the LFA’s entry into the 2010 Nurburgring 24 Hours race, just 50 versions of this track-focussed supercar will be made. The tweaks and changes aren’t radical: the front-mounted 4.8-litre V10 has 10 bhp more (up to 562bhp) and the automated manual ‘box now shifts quicker (gear changes are down from 0.2 to 0.15 seconds) though the 3.7sec 0-62mph time and 202mph top speed remain the same.