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

JUNKER KEEPER: Federal database tracks totaled vehicles, clunkers

First, it was the hurricane-damaged used cars flooding the market. Now, it’s the clunkers turned in--and supposedly junked--as part of the federal Cars Allowance Rebate System “cash for clunkers” program. Following Hurricane Katrina, cars declared as total losses in one state were able to get clean titles in other states and were resold to unsuspecting consumers.

Hyundai i10 i-Blue for 2010

The Hyundai i10 i-Blue is based on the Hyundai i10 Blue CNG concept (above) So where are Hyundai off to now with their ‘best budget buy’ cars? They’re off down the 3-pot road, with the introduction in the New Year of the Hyundai i10 i-Blue - an 800cc three-pot engined car that should give crackingly good economy and emissions. Based on the 2008 Hyundai i10 Blue CNG Concept that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008, its 800cc, turbo-charged three-cylinder engine should be good for 90bhp and slip in to the free VED bracket, with less than 100g/km CO2 emissions.

Mercedes-Benz reveals first C-class details

Mercedes-Benz has revealed limited details about its new fourth-generation C-class sedan, more than two months before it is due to make its world debut at the Detroit auto show. Although the new BMW 3-series and Audi A4 rival is yet to official unveiled -- in fact, all we have so far are interior renderings -- Mercedes-Benz says the new C-class will be a significantly more advanced car than its predecessor in terms of construction, with a “best in class” weight figure and a level of structural integrity that it describes as being “unparalleled” in its class. Among its features is a new lightweight body structure that uses a newly developed aluminum hybrid construction process that Mercedes-Benz claims will shave as much as 220 pounds over the current model depending on the engine it uses.