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

Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Cross-country in a Corvette Stingray: Day Three

Day two of our cross-country Corvette trek ended in North Platte, Neb., where we encountered a couple of C2 Sting Rays in the parking lot of our Holiday Inn. We shot some photos and hit the sack around 1 a.m. Day three would be the second-longest of the trip at around 14 hours.

2012 Porsche Boxster unveiled

2012 Porsche Boxster revealed The 2012 Porsche Boxster has been revealed with a new lightweight body, revised chassis and engines – and looking much the same as the old Boxster. The 2012 Porsche Boxster (or, as always, if you’re on the other side of the Pond, the 2013 Porsche Boxster) has been revealed, not at the Detroit Auto Show, but, just as Audi did yesterday with the A6 Allroad, as a diversion from the car antics in North America. Looking, as you would expect from Porsche, little different to the current Boxster, the new Porsche Boxster does however get a thorough makeover of body, engines and chassis to make the new Boxster fit to fight for another decade (or so).