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

Japan hopes to make EV recharging technology the global standard

Japan's automakers aim to cement their lead in electric vehicles by making Japanese recharging technology the global standard and bringing it to the United States. A coalition of manufacturers, including Nissan and Toyota, is teaming with Japan's biggest electric company and the government to make it happen. They aim to corner the market on one of the technologies that will be key to the eventual acceptance of electric-powered cars: the high-speed charging points that will act like gasoline stations of the future and enable drivers to recharge and keep driving after their batteries run low.

Japan automakers extend shutdowns as quake impact widens

Japan's seven big automakers are extending nationwide production shutdowns amid growing concern about supply chain interruptions, power shortages and export difficulties following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hammered northern Japan, killing thousands. Toyota Motor Corp., one of the few automakers with a major manufacturing presence in the quake zone, suspended all manufacturing--at both assembly and parts plants--on Monday and extended the shutdown through at least Wednesday as an added precaution. The company will lose output of roughly 40,000 vehicles over the three-day period, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 (2011) first pictures and video

This is the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, a 493bhp race car for the road. Think of it as the ultimate 911 – it brings together the brilliant chassis of the GT3 RS, the lightweight secrets learnt on the GT2 RS, and the stonking 4.0-litre six cylinder engine that powers the GT3 RSR racer. This Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 sounds like quite a package… It is, and topping the list of impressive highlights is a new 4.0-litre flat-six engine.