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

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

2013 McLaren F1 – more details emerge

A render of the 2013 McLaren F1 / 799 (click for full size photo) It’s more than two years since we revealed that McLaren are planning on building a McLaren F1 road car for the 21st century. Planned to bring game-changing performance to the hypercar market, it will be McLaren’s halo car, sitting above the 458 Italia-bashing MP4-12C, and the yet-to-come McLaren which is aimed at the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. What exactly McLaren are planning with the new F1 – which may be called the McLaren 799 – is still hidden deep in the minds and computers of McLaren’s elite.

Vauxhall / Opel can’t sell to the U.S.

Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer won't go on sale in the US Probably the most significant thing so far is that Opel and Vauxhall will not be allowed to sell cars in the US, or indeed in to China. Which does cut out a lot of potential, if not exactly a lot of current, sales possibilities. It makes sense for GM to have made this clause in the sale agreement, but it will hurt the new Magna owned group in the long run.