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

Future products: Ownership change may revive 2 small Porsches

Now that it's owned by Volkswagen, Porsche reportedly is planning two small vehicles that the German sports car maker's previous management had nixed. Porsche is expected to increase the size of its Boxster roadster, leaving room at the bottom of the range for a smaller midengine car engineered jointly with Volkswagen. A small SUV also is likely to be added.

University of Cincinnati 2008

Students in the Transportation Design track at the University of Cincinnati recently presented their visions for the future of transport. Most of the students were asked to envision a vehicle for use in the year 2030 in a studio course sponsored by General Motors; a brief which asked students to push the design potential of the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickup truck or the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon SUVs. Two graduating students also presented their visions for the automotive future, using the Volkswagen and Saturn brands as their launching pad.

Audi TT ultra quattro concept sheds 300kg & heads for Worthersee

The TT ultra quattro concept manages to tip the scales at 1111kg, 299kg less than the starting point – the TT S quattro – thanks to a new version of the TT’s aluminium space frame, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, carbon fibre for many body panels and some judicious use of magnesium. Other weight saving tricks include carbon ceramic brakes with aluminium calipers, titanium exhaust, cameras instead of heavy door mirror mechanisms, and carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. The weight saving extends to the interior of the TT ultra quattro concept too, with carbon fibre used for the door and centre console trims and glass-fibre reinforced plastic base for the seats which saves 22kh alone. But despite the weight savings Audi hasn’t made the TT ultra quattro concept a hair shirt outing with goodies like leather seats, AirCon and electric windows still on offer.