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

Collector electrifies a 1955 LaSalle Roadster

Just months after Joe Bortz's unveiling of the restored 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, the auto archeologist and collector is moving into the second phase of restoration with another General Motors Motorama concept car: the 1955 LaSalle Roadster. But here's the key difference--the LaSalle is going electric. As the LaSalle's motor was never completed, the roadster is considered a “push mobile.” To prepare the car so that it can be driven--rather than pushed--on the road, Bortz has teamed up with Pioneer Conversions, an Illinois business focusing in the electric conversion of various vehicles.

2012 European Car of the Year shortlist announced

The shortlist for the 2012 European Car of the Year award has been announced today. There were 35 cars on the original list, but the first round of voting from the 59 jury members (including CAR Magazine’s editor Phil McNamara, and our European correspondent Georg Kacher) has whittled the list down to just seven. They are… • Citroen DS5• Fiat Panda• Focus Focus• Opel (Vauxhall) Ampera/Chevrolet Volt• Range Rover Evoque• Toyota Yaris• Volkswagen Up There will now be a second round of test drives, before the European Car of the Year jurors submit their scores and a winner is announced live at the Geneva motor show on 5 March 2012.

Porsche Macan to get VW 4-cylinder engines in 2014

The new Porsche Macan (pictured) will get 4-cylinder engine options in 2014 The new Porsche Macan arrived officially just a few weeks ago, complete with a choice of six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and prices starting at £43k. But that’s just the start. Porsche has now confirmed that, before the end of 2014, the Macan will get some more affordable engine options with both petrol and diesel 4-cylinder engines finding their way under the Macan’s Cayenne-esque bonnet.