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

Merc to revive straight six, plus 4cyl and smaller V8s

Mercedes has just signed off a new engine family which will see most full-sized Mercs in future run four-cylinders, downsized V8s and… straight sixes. A friendly Mercedes engineer recently met CAR to disclose the engine plans for future models, including the surprise disclosure that Merc plans to switch to straight sixes, like its rivals over in Munich.  It's fair to say I almost choked on my breakfast croissant when I found out the details of the next MB engine generation which has just been signed off for release in 2015. Mercedes' future four-cylinder engines Again, there will be a family of new low-cost fours, and the big-bore V8s will be replaced by a series of downsized turbocharged 4.0-litre units.

300hp Nissan Sport Sedan Concept shocks Detroit 2014

Nissan is 80 years old in 2014, and as part of its birthday celebrations the Japanese firm has unveiled a brand-new Sport Sedan Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. 'Sedan' is the American term for a saloon car – and as the rest of its name suggests, Nissan is aiming to make this four-door far sportier than your average executive express. The first hurdle, however, is getting over the way it looks… Please click the image above to read more about the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show

2012 Audi A6 Avant arrives

The new Audi A6 Avant arrives It’s a strange thing, but we find the Avant version of the Audi A6 somehow more appealing than the regular saloon. It shouldn’t be so; surely the Estate is the utilitarian option? But there’s something hugely appealing about a load lugger that can offer real saloon car levels of comfort and handling (and even barking mad performance in the RS6 Avant).