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

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

New Range Rover Sport hits a BCA Auction for the first time

The New Range Rover Sport crosses the auction block for the first time Where do Land Rover dealers get their best used cars from? A closed Land Rover sale run by BCA for dealers where there’s the pick of used Land Rover and Range Rover models to choose from, that’s where. And at this week’s closed Land Rover auction at BCA in Nottingham the first examples of the new Range Rover Sport where on offer, and fetched strong prices.

Concept Car of the Week: Chevrolet Express (1987)

A fantastic selection of concept cars from the ‘80s were featured in Back to the Future II such as the Pontiac Pursuit, the Ford Probe or the Saab EV-1, but my personal favorite was the Chevrolet Express that almost ran over Marty upon his arrival in the year 2015. Before being a movie extra, the Express was presented in 1987 as another attempt from GM to adapt aircraft engineering to automotive requirements. GM had been experimenting with gas turbines for more than 20 years, dating back to the 370hp XP-21 Firebird from 1954, but that concept was quite primitive compared to its younger brother.