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

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.

VW Phaeton returning to America as early as 2018

Though the Volkswagen Phaeton -- the brand's range-topping, understated luxury sedan -- disappeared from the United States market in 2006, never actually died. The tech-laden luxobarge is still offered overseas, and it has seen a number of revisions and updates since it was last offered here. Of course, much more has changed since 2006 than the Phaeton's front fascia.

Audi A3 Clubsport Quattro Concept gets 518bhp – heading for Worthersee

The 518bhp Audi A3 Clubsport Concept (pictured) is heading for Worthersee The Worthersee Show is looming at the end of May, and we can expect some extreme and mad concepts from the VW Group queuing up for attention. And among those will be this, the Audi A3 Clubsport Quattro Concept. Based on the Audi S3, the A3 Clubsport eschews the S3′s 2.0 litre TFSI in favour of Audi’s 5-cylinder 2.5 litre, and in the A3 Clubsport the wick gets turned up considerably to 518bhp and 442lb/ft of torque.