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

Green three-wheelers may get Energy Department funding

Aptera Motors, Elio Motors and other companies developing fuel-efficient three-wheeled vehicles got a boost from Congress this week in their quest for federal funding. Legislation to make three-wheeled vehicles eligible for Energy Department loans passed a conference committee of House and Senate leaders Wednesday and then got approval from the full House on Thursday. It is part of an energy spending bill likely to go before the Senate by next week for final congressional passage, a Senate aide said.

Future Audis may time traffic lights for you

Here's a trick efficiency-chasing hypermilers have been using for years: spotting the cycles of stoplights from 100 to 200 yards out and letting the car coast up to the light just before it turns green, then carrying on without ever letting the car come to a complete stop. These hypermilers, along with professional truck drivers, do this because they know that accelerating from a standstill burns the greatest amount of fuel, and because letting a car coast up to the light with the automatic transmission downshifting by itself is easier on the transmission than stomping on the brakes right beneath the stoplight. Oh, and it's easier on the brake pads as well.

2012 Mercedes A-Class: The Concept-A Videos

Mercedes Concept-A Video We had the first proper details on the Mercedes Concept-A earlier this week, which points the way – as a slightly tamed-down version – to the 2012 Mercedes A-Class. That Mercedes A Class will not just arrive as a hatch but will – in cojunction with the new Mercedes B-Class that will also utilise Mercedes new MFA platform – spawn models as diverse as a shooting brake, crossover, coupe and cabriolet. It seems – with all the derivatives that appear to be planned – that Mercedes are looking to out-MINI MINI in the variations on a theme game.