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

Euro NCAP: iQ, Avensis, Impreza, C3 Picasso, Lancer, 6

By Alex Michaelides Motor Industry 19 February 2009 12:40 It’s a good day for the safety of new Japanese cars as the first round of 2009-style Euro NCAP safety ratings are released. Of the six cars tested, full five-star marks were dished out to the Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ, as well as the Mitsubishi Lancer and Mazda 6. Meanwhile, the Citroen C3 Picasso and Subaru Impreza were awarded four stars.

MINI Paceman gets a (very slight) facelift: Beijing Motor Show

The 2014 MINI Paceman (pictured) gets a minor facelift Despite the all new MINI Hatch being revealed earlier this year, it’ll be a couple of years before the over-sized MINI Countryman gets replaced, which is why MINI recently revealed a facelift for the Countryman to keep it current. Logic says that if the Countryman is getting a facelift then so should its coupe sibling – the MINI Paceman – and MINI has duly obliged by revealing a very small series of updates for the 2014 / 2015 Paceman. In truth, this could be the last iteration of the Paceman we see as rumour has it MINI won’t be continuing with the Pacemena when the all new Countryman arrives in 2016, and they haven’t exactly gone overboard with the changes to the coupe Countryman either.

Ford tests electric-vehicle sounds on Facebook

Sure, if it were up to us, every car would sound like a Lamborghini Aventador or a McLaren Formula One race car. And while those specific options aren't available (yet),Ford is using its Facebook page to let fans vote on sounds to be made by the electric Focus. Since EVs are so quiet, Ford needs to give the Focus electric some sound for safety's sake--to draw the attention of people who are blind people, those using cell phones or iPods and even for animals.