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

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Apple CarPlay to be available on older cars

AFP | Getty Images Drivers will be able to add Apple’s CarPlay iPhone connectivity to their existing car stereo, meaning it won’t be exclusive to the cars already revealed with the system at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The radio manufacturers Pioneer and Alpine have both already said they’re working with Apple to introduce the CarPlay software to their existing and new car stereo head units. Apple CarPlay lets you text on the move CarPlay allows you to pair a compatible iPhone (so the iPhone 5, 5S or 5C) with your car infotainment system, controlling the voice, touchscreen and buttons through the car’s in-built screen.

Zagato & CPP in Joint Venture. Really, they are.

Bentley Zagato - the catalyst for the CPP Zagato deal A couple of weeks ago we reported that CPP – owners of Spyker and Bowler – has quitely gobbled up Milanese Car Design Studio Zagato at some point in 2010. Which made sense. It made sense because it is CPP that builds many of the Zagato cars you can think of.