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

Dodge Challenger, Charger get new V6 muscle

Dodge is getting competitive in the horsepower wars. After years of languishing with a 250-hp V6 in the Charger and Challenger muscle cars, both are getting a substantial power boost. Chrysler announced some of the ratings for the Pentastar V6--the new 3.6-liter engine that will be the base powerplant across much of its lineup--and for enthusiasts, it's good news.

Brian Wilson on the Beach Boys' car songs

Brian Wilson, the musical giant behind so much of the Beach Boys great music, sang at the Petersen gala in Los Angeles last week, and there were plenty of songs about cars and drag racing in the mix. "We're going to do a series of car songs because this place has a lot of cars," Wilson announced before leading his 10-piece band into "Little Deuce Coupe," "409," "All Summer Long" and "Shut Down." The band played to a packed house at the museum's annual fundraiser. Wilson's set was surely the most entertaining in the Petersen's 15 years of fundraising galas.

Toyota files for 'Supra' trademark

Adding more grist to the new-Toyota-sports-car mill, the automaker has filed with the USPTO for a “Supra” trademark covering “Automobiles and structural parts thereof.” On one hand, it's routine for companies to protect their dormant trademarks; Toyota previously filed to protect the "Supra" mark back in 2010; that protection expired on January 27th of this year. The new filing was made on Feburary 10th, in the midst of the post-Detroit, FT-1 enthusiast froth. We can't help but hold out hope that there's a bit more weight behind this application than simple maintenance of the status quo.