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

Porsche Rennsport IV rolls on at Laguna Seca

Heavy fog for the morning qualifying runs didn't seem to dampen the spirits of competitors nor the thousands of fans attending Rennsport IV at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. Billed as the largest gathering of Porsche race cars and drivers, the day was filled with on-track action as well as a concours of historically significant Porsches from the past 40-plus years. Three classes of race cars competed on Saturday.

Peugeot 308 RCZ concept

These are the first pictures of the Peugeot 308 RCZ concept car, scheduled to make an appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the forthcoming 308, the 308 RCZ is a 2+2 coupe - in the same ilk as Audi's TT. The construction focuses on lightweight, employing aluminum in the roll over protection bars, a polycarbonate rear windscreen and carbon fiber body panels. Design details of the dramatic concept include pronounced wheel-arches that blend seamlessly with the aggressive front fascia and a stepped beltline. The large offset between the door and rocker panel emphasizes the purposeful, sporting stance.

Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.