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

7 performance cars for less than $30,000 part two: Honda Civic Si vs. Volkswagen GTI

It's hard to fathom, but it's been more than a decade since the peak of the sport-compact craze saw modified Honda Civics cluttering the streets. Enthusiasts salivated over a Type R that wasn't (and still isn't) available on our shores, instead having to settle for the Si. Fast-forward to today and the debut of the ninth-generation Civic for the 2012 model year brings a new Si.

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS arrives

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS The news that the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS will be making an appearance at the Paris Motor Show before arriving in showrooms by December should be followed soon by an announcement that there is to be a Limited Edition run of a 911 Speedster. But one step at a time. As we reported in June, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is a wide-bodied (44mm wider at the back) 911 which will be the most powerful ‘regular’ model in the 911 range.

2011 Audi R8 GT, an AW first look

Three years after it burst onto the supercar scene, Audi has unveiled a hard-core version of its R8 called the GT. Based on the existing mid-engine R8 V10 and incorporating aerodynamic, weight-saving and mechanical developments used by the company's R8 LMS GT3 race car, Ingolstadt will build just 333 copies of the new 560-hp four-wheel-drive performance flagship. Pricing has not yet been revealed, but given the extent of the changes to the new two-seater, buyers should expect a hefty premium over the R8 V10's $147,000 price tag when the GT goes on sale in North America.