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

Smart wins 2011 LA Design Challenge

Daimler's Smart division won this year's LA Design Challenge, the brief of which was to create ‘Hollywood's Hottest New Movie Car'. The entries were judged on how well the vehicle reflected its brand attributes relative to the plot, how the vehicle related to the target audience, and the level of imagination found within the entry. Befitting the ‘Hollywood movie car' theme, the uniqueness of the story concept and the character development of the vehicle were also factors that helped determine the overall winner.

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

Ford taps programs, in-car technology to aid teen driving

Teenage boys are more likely to neglect their seatbelts, while teenage girls will get distracted by passengers more often, according to a recent study from Ford. Ford commissioned Penn Schoen Berland to survey 500 teens and 500 parents about teen driving habits and perceptions. In addition to comparing boys and girls, the survey found that both parents and teen drivers believe winter is the most dangerous season for driving.