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

Pace cadets: At AMG academy, students take their finals with their right feet

Mercedes-Benz USA launched the AMG Challenge in 2002, a program touted as "a chance to experience the thrill of driving the newest Mercedes AMGs on some of America's best racetracks." This year, MBUSA abandoned the Challenge in favor of the AMG Driving Academy, a multistage driver-development program pioneered by AMG in Europe. The difference? According to Greg Clark, AMG manager, "the Challenge was more about the cars, while the Academy is more about the driver." Having participated in both the Challenge and now the Academy, we'd say that difference is subtle, at least as it applies to the one-day program.

Suzuki Regina concept

Suzuki is preparing a trio of concepts for the forthcoming Tokyo motorshow, including this Regina concept. The four-seat, lightweight city car is a fresh take on the economical runabout. Utilizing a traditional petrol engine and a low-drag coefficient results in fuel consumption that aims to best most of its hybrid contemporaries.

Video: Honda Super Ultra Daydreams has us smiling with joy

Honda's press conference at last week's press conference was full of the usual marketing messages about sales figures, new models and company strategies but the thing that caught our magpie-like eyes was this joyful little video. The cheeky vector graphics feature 19 of the company's concept cars from the last 20 years, starting with the 1994 FSR right up to the NSX via such wonderful oddities as the Kiwami and P-Nut, all accompanied by a bouncy score.  It reminded us all why this is a brand that has always stood out as individual and creative even if the last few years have been a little sparse.