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

One Lap of the Web: Car creatures of the Hollywood Hills

-- Jay Leno, presumably back from filming McQueen's Jaguar XKSS, now places his chin atop the front seat of a 1925 Doble E-20, which, being steam-powered, fulfills Leno's interpretation of alt-fuel. Abner Doble built his first steam car while he was still in high school, and by 1915 the Doble Detroit had set new standards of reliability, convenience, noiselessness, and speed -- in 1925, Howard Hughes drove Leno's Model E to 132 mph. -- Los Angeles, car culture capital of the world, has its fair share of hipsters, eccentrics, airheads and Chrysler LeBarons.

Toyota HSD concept

The Yaris HSD, as presented in Geneva, previews Toyota's intentions of bringing Hybrid technology to the B-Segment, as well as Toyota's full hybrid roll out across all models in its range. Retaining the familiar Yaris outwardly appearance (and previewing the next generation Yaris) the HSD is interspersed with ‘Hybrid' cues, to intimate at the hybrid powertrain beneath the body. From the pearl white paint to the light blue hue that illuminates certain aspects, there is an underlying emphasis on the fact that this car is a hybrid.

ZAP electric car

California-based ZAP has completed the initial concept phase for a new electric vehicle claimed to hit a top speed in excess of 100 mph with a range of 100 miles per charge.  "With ZAP's experience over the past 12 years and the groundwork we have already laid, we know that electricity is the future of the auto industry," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider.  "At the same time, we believe we have a design that will serve a niche no other manufacturer in the auto industry is seeking to fill." More details of the car will become available at the end of the month.