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

VW Golf Bluemotion concept (2008): first pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 08 September 2008 13:22 This is Volkswagen’s cleanest Mk6 Golf, a Bluemotion concept car that is claimed to achieve 74mpg while puffing out a paltry 99g/km. Those are figures on a par with today’s Polo Bluemotion, but this concept will become production reality in mid-2009.  A 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine powers the new Golf Bluemotion, producing 104bhp and 184lb ft, but those remarkable figures are helped by revised ratios on the five-speed ‘box, optimised aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres. There’s also a particulate filter to keep the exhaust gases clean.

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Just how much do F1 drivers earn?

Business Book GP has published a list of Formula One drivers’ income for piloting their cars round the world’s F1 Grand Prix circuits. Just how much do the drivers of Formula One cars get for risking their lives (well, that may be a bit of an overstatement in 2012) in pursuit of a victory on the track? It seems anything from €150k to €30 million is the spread.