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

Tokyo Auto Salon pits performance autos against hybrids

The world's other big January auto show, the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, opened its doors to tuner enthusiasts in mid-month with a record 402 exhibitors. The Auto Salon fuses numerous styles, but the overriding theme this year was hybrid cars, with customized Toyota Priuses and Honda Insights at every turn. Good old-fashioned engine tuning is alive and well in Japan, where even new sports cars are being heavily modified, with cars such as the KRL Mitsubishi Evolution X and the HKS Nissan GT-R both boasting in excess of 600 hp.

Ford follows Hyundai with payment protection plan

Ford Motor Co., taking a cue from Asian rival Hyundai Motor, is offering to make car payments for buyers who lose their jobs. The program, called the Ford Advantage Plan, will cover payments for up to 12 months. The move is aimed at boosting sales, which have fallen 45.9 percent this year through February at Ford Motor and 39.4 percent industrywide as the U.S.

BMW 4 Series Convertible leaks – looking very like a 4 Series Coupe without a roof

The BMW 4 Series Convertible leaks ahead of an L.A. Debut The headline isn’t meant to suggest the roof of the new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet leaks; we’re sure it doesn’t. But, ahead of its expected debut at the Los Angles Auto Show next month, BMW’s hopes of keeping their convertible 4 Series under warps have been dashed after the BMW Blog published what are almost certainly the first official photos of BMW’s latest convertible.