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

Akio Toyoda waves family flag, heir makes crisis personal challenge

The reclusive Akio Toyoda is taking the rare step of waving the family flag, as the scion to Toyota Motor Corp.’s founding dynasty tries to steer the world’s largest car company out of a spiraling safety crisis. In testimony prepared for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, President Toyoda pursues a rare personal tack on the emergency, saying “my name is on every car.” “As you well know, I am the grandson of the founder, and all the Toyota vehicles bear my name,” Toyoda says in prepared comments circulated ahead of Wednesday’s committee hearing in Washington. “For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well.” The intimate reflection is a departure for Toyoda, who has spent most of his career sidestepping public discussion of his lineage.

Win a signed Peter Schreyer Kia design sketch

At this week's launch of the new Kia Sportage, CAR witnessed Kia design chief Peter Schreyer sketch out his original vision of the new crossover 4x4. We later clobbered the black-polo-necked styling boss and asked if we could give it away on CAR Online. He agreed, added some finishing touches and signed the Kia Sportage design sketch.

Audi A4 pricing

By Ben Barry Motor Industry 12 September 2007 10:16 Audi has announced on-the-road pricing for the all-new A4 that’s set to reach British customers in Spring 2008. The Audi A4 will start at £22,590 for the 1.8 petrol, rising to £29,680 for the 3.2 petrol. The 2.0-litre diesel lists at £23,940, while the 2.7 and 3.0-litre V6 oil burners come in at £28,440 and £30,290 respectively.