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

Mercedes S400 Hybrid – and a facelift as well

Mercedes S400 Hybrid launched - and a facelift for the S Class Range [ad#ad-1] Mercedes has long held the ‘Best Luxury Car’ mantle, despite build quality issues in the early part of this century, but the competition, particularly from Audi and BMW has got stronger with each model change, so they have to keep upping their game (and the new Jaguar XJ may make them up it even further before long). So we knew it time for a facelift for the current S Class, but Mercedes has decided to link that with the launch of the first S Class Hybrid – the S400 Hybrid. The S400 Hybrid gets a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine, which on its own delivers 279bhp, but linked to an electric motor it gets a 20bhp boost and a big jump in torque.

The Frankfurt motor show 2009 review, by Ben Oliver

By Ben Oliver Motor Shows 16 September 2009 00:01 Taking the metro to the Frankfurt motor show, I was surrounded by men whose grey suits, lapel badges and reading matter made it obvious they were car company execs heading the same way. In previous years they probably had access to the fleets of chauffeur-driven cars that used to clog the town as they shuttled from airport to exhibition hall to hotel. But Frankfurt, like every other motor show, finds itself in reduced circumstances this year.  The Paris and Frankurt shows alternate, and the comparison with Paris this time last year is instructive.

Volvo outlines strategy for U.S. revival

Volvo Cars is rolling out a broad strategy aimed at reviving the brand in the United States after a decade of shrinking demand while nearly doubling sales globally. The plan, shared with U.S. dealers on Tuesday, includes new powertrains, new vehicles, more leasing and fresh marketing under a new, global ad agency.