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

End of Maybach may jump-start Mercedes S-class convertible

A couple of nondenial denials from Mercedes-Benz execs at the New York auto show this week sure made it sound like there's a convertible coming, based on the redesigned S-class due out next year. If the brand follows its usual practice, the convertible would come out a year or two after the sedan. Significantly, Mercedes-Benz showed the Ocean Drive convertible concept five years ago with a Mercedes-Benz badge, rather than Maybach.

BMW shows off first F30 335i racing machine

When one's thoughts get to meandering and said meanderings lead to Bavarian racing machines, BMW's M cars are often first to mind. But the first race car built on BMW's new F30 bones is actually a 335i. Given that the new car's stock turbo six cranks out power similar to that of the naturally aspirated screamer in the 2001-06 E46 M3, building a dedicated rennsport machine from a non-M 3-series doesn't seem like the great loss of opportunity it once could've been.

Audi RS Q3 (2013) first official pictures

Audi's applied the RS badge to a soft-roader for the first time: this is the RS Q3. Using a slightly detuned TTRS engine, the RS Q3 puts 306bhp and 307lb ft through all four wheels, via a standard-fit dual-clutch gearbox Audi RS Q3: the powertrain spec The petrol-fuelled 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine is related to the TTRS five-pot, but here it's developing 306bhp rather than 335bhp. Maximum torque is on tap from 1500rpm to 4200rpm.