Honda B18 Intake Manifold on 2040-parts.com

CAR meets Porsche’s 2014 Le Mans chief

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 11 December 2013 14:50 Porsche is returning to Le Mans in 2014 for the first time since 1998 with an all-new LMP1 prototype, and with ex-Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Mark Webber as its star driver. Audi has dominated Le Mans for the past decade, but new-for-2014 rules allow for any engine size and configuration, and instead focus on energy consumption per lap. With the slate wiped clean, 2014 will be Porsche’s best chance to beat its fellow VW Group member, and the strong Toyota team.

Fiat and Chrysler get in to bed together

Before Christmas the CEO of Fiat was reported as saying that he believed that the current malaise in the car market (and any other market, for that matter) would result in the rationalisation of the industry, and see just a handful of big players come out the other side. His words now seem prescient, as it has been announced today that Fiat and Chrysler have effectively entered in to a partnership. Fiat takes a 35% stake in Chrysler The partnership, with Fiat taking 35% of Chrysler, means a number of benefits for both companies.

GM's historic Willow Run plant closes

After 68 years of arming the nation and putting America on wheels, the Willow Run manufacturing plant in southeast Michigan closed on Thursday. The 5-million-square-foot powertrain plant, owned by Motors Liquidation Corp., the remnants of the former General Motors Corp., has fallen victim to GM's 2009 bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring. About 300 workers left at the plant will either “retire, transfer to another campus or go on layoff,” said Chris Lee, a spokesman for the reorganized General Motors Co.