Gm Small Block Chevy V8 Hydraulic Lifter (1) 5232720 Hl-66 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes B55 (2011) - a ballistic V8 B-class

Mercedes' tuning arm AMG has not yet ventured into sensible B-class territory, but a bunch of Merc trainees in Germany has come up with this: the B55. It's a V8-powered B-class, complete with AMG-spec 383bhp 5.5-litre V8 mounted up front and driving an old W210 E-class rear axle. Sounds like a promising skunkworks special, derived from an old B200 CDI hack that was kicking about the training centre.

Salon Privé 2010: Hypercar Heaven – including Panther Six

The Panther Six - six-wheeled Hypercar - makes an appearance at Salon Prive It’s getting closer to Salon Privé 2010, that annual festival of all things ‘Super’ in cars at the Hurlingham Club, and this year there’s an extra reason to toddle along for a day of petrol and Champagne – The Concours Hypercar Class. Salon Privé has cobbled together an impressive array of Hypercars for a special ‘Hypercar Concours’ at this year’s event, including the rather spectacular ‘Lady Penelope-Style’ Panther Six. The Panther Six is a six wheeled, 1970s creation with a mid-mounted, 8.2 litre Cadillac V8 and a claimed 200+ mph top speed.

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.