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

GM and PSA sign a global strategic alliance (2012)

GM and PSA Peugeot Citroen this evening announced a 'long-term and broad-scale global strategic alliance' which will see the three brands co-develop cars in Europe and, in some cases, globally. Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot Citroen will start sharing vehicle platforms and components, with the first jointly developed models expected by 2016. The focus will be on small and medium sized cars, MPVs and crossovers, but could in future stretch to include vans and commercial vehicles.

Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg on the highway

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 140 hp and 136 lb-ft from the aluminum 2.0-liter engine used in the current-generation Focus.

Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (2012) first pictures

Porsche has equipped its Cayenne SUV with a twin-turbo diesel engine, creating (no surprises here) the Cayenne S diesel. The 4.2-litre bi-turbo oil-burner puts out 376bhp and a rather wholesome 626lb ft of torque. That latter figures bests even the flagship petrol Cayenne Turbo: that car's twin-blown petrol V8 produces 'only' 516lb ft - and costs around £28k more than the Cayenne S Diesel.