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

First Sight: BMW 1 Series

This is the first BMW to compete in the premium lower medium European car class defined by cars such as the Audi A3 and Alfa Romeo 147, although spiritually it follows the significantly smaller BMW 2002 Touring produced from 1968 to 1976. A little more compact that the 3 Series (which will grow in size with next year's new model) the 1 Series effectively replaces the 3 Series-based Compact and extends the brand downward to just above the Mini. The 1 Series was previewed by the CS1 two door convertible concept shown two years ago at Geneva, with which it shares much of its exterior proportions and form, and some interior design themes.

Mercedes previews technology before Frankfurt auto show

Future Mercedes will crash less often and use less gas doing so. We got a few insights into exactly how that will happen when we attended the Mercedes preview the night before the Frankfurt auto show. Inside its own enormous hall at the International Auto Austellung, Mercedes previewed gas-saving and accident-avoiding technologies we can expect to see on production cars within the next decade.

SEAT Ibiza Cupster Concept Heading for Worthersee

The SEAT Ibiza Cupster Concept (pictured) is heading for Worthersee Some cars that head for the Worthersee Show look like they could be heading for production, but the SEAT Ibiza Cupster Concept isn’t really one of them. SEAT has built the Cupster Concept as a celebration of thirty years of the Ibiza range and it comes without a roof but with a steeply raked windscreen and wraparound glass, big buttresses where the back seats would usually be (there are no back seats) and a boot mounted spoiler. SEAT are promising more details before Worthersee, but it seems reasonable to assume that the Cupster has the regular Ibiza Cupra under its skin complete with the 178bhp 1.4 litre TSI engine.