Klim Inferno Jacket Black-3x on 2040-parts.com

Clean cars make us happy

A CLEAN CAR makes us feel happier and three out of four drivers say a spotless car makes them feel better about themselves. In a survey by car wash specialists IMO, 74% of drivers reported a shiny car was a quick way to make themselves happier, while only a minority said they would ‘rather boil their head’ than get their car washed. Young drivers are the most likely to improve their mood with a car wash, with 85% saying a shiny car gives them a boost.

Audi RS Q3: Official

Audi has revealed their first ever RS SUV in the shape of the RS Q3, a 306bhp compact SUV which will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Arriving for its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the RS Q3 (we want to call it the Q3 RS) comes, as expected,  with Audi’s 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine packing 306bhp and 310lb/ft of torque, which is enough to throw the RS Q3 to 62mph in just 5.5 seconds and still manage official economy of 32.1mpg. Audi has lowered the suspension on the RS Q3 and given it stiffer springs and dampers as well as fitting bigger anti-roll bars.

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.