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

House narrowly passes scaled-back 'cash-for-clunkers' bill

The U.S. House on Tuesday narrowly passed a scaled-back version of a bill that would give consumers cash vouchers of between $3,500 and $4,500 if they trade in their cars for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The $1 billion cash-for-guzzlers proposal, modeled after successful programs in Germany and other European countries, is part of a $106 billion supplemental spending measure designed mostly to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

First Fisker Karma in the UK auctioned for £140k

First Fisker Karma in the UK auctioned for charity The extended range Fisker Karma arrived at last year’s Paris motor show, and now the very first Karma to arrive in the UK has been auctioned in aid of charity and raised a bid of £140,000 at the Pratham UK Gala held at Camden’s Roundhouse. The altruism demonstrated by offering appealing cars for charity auctions is to be commended, especially from a young - and relatively impoverished - outfit like Henrik Fisker’s eponymous company. Yes, there’s a bit of publicity to be garnered for the Karma, but good on Henrik for offering up the first Karma to charity.

2014 Hyundai Elantra, Tucson FCEV and a new Nu engine at the LA Auto Show

Hyundai made a boatload of news at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday. The Korean company unveiled the redesigned 2014 Elantra coupe, sedan and GT, the Veloster R-Spec hatchback and some interesting info on its upcoming fuel-cell program. The biggest news is Hyundai's revamped 2.0-liter Nu engine that now makes 173 hp, instead of 145 hp, and 154 lb-ft of torque, as opposed to the 130 of the old engine.