Grand National Vacuum Block on 2040-parts.com

Found on eBay: 1983 Škoda 105L sedan

Years before Škoda started topping the customer satisfaction charts in the U.K. and other countries, beating its corporate parent VW, and operating plants all over Europe and China, it was a Czechoslovakian automaker known for building more or less reliable cars (mostly less). Few in the U.S.

Audi reveals TV spots for A3

Audi has revealed a few TV ads for its newest A3 sedan, which we reviewed last week. The one-minute, 30-second and 15-second spots feature comedian Ricky Gervais, chef David Chang, photojournalist Lynsey Addario, comedian Kristen Schaal, boxer Clarissa Shields, street artists Cyrcle and church choir Voices of Destiny. The company is building off its “Stay Uncompromised” theme that debuted during the Super Bowl.

New BMW M3 and M4 engine secrets laid bare

BMW's M division has lifted the veil of secrecy on the inline six-cylinder engine bound for its upcoming M3 sedan and new-to-the-range M4 coupe and convertible, revealing a potent twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter direct injection gasoline unit that produces an official 424 hp at 7,500 rpm and what officials describe as "significantly more than 369 lb-ft" of torque. The newly developed engine, known under the internal codename S55 B30, shares its 84.0 mm bore and 89.6 mm stroke with BMW's standard turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder direct-injection gasoline mill, the M55 used across the German car maker's lineup, endowing the aluminum block unit with an overall swept volume of 2,979 cc. This represents a sizeable 990 cc reduction on the engine BMW's M division's new unit replaces, the S65.