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.

Volvo von Koenigsegg – the Vox Volvo P1800

The Vox Volvo P1800 - a modern reworking of the original with a 550bhp V8 Vöcks latest creation – The Vox Volvo P1800 -is based on the iconic Volvo P1800, which those of a certain age will remember was driven by Roger Moore’s Saint back in the ’60s. In its day the P1800 was something of a revelation – a sporty, appealing Volvo (come to think of it, it’s still a bit of a revelation!). Vöcks has remained faithful to the original P1800, at least in style.

UK car sales up 11% in May (2013)

The Ford Fiesta (pictured) was again the best selling car in the UK The rise and rise of new car registrations in the UK continues to defy the rest of the economy, with figures up in May 2013 by 11 per cent year on year, and private sales up a massive 20.9 per cent to levels last seen in 2007. It’s the fifteenth month in succession new car registration have risen in the UK, with sales for May at 180,111 and total sales to date in 2013 hitting almost 1 million units, at 948,666. The SMMT think the big jump in private registrations is down to a number of factors, including cars bought under the scrappage scheme now being traded in for a new car, strong incentives from car makers and the promise of new cars offering lower running costs, and they’re probably right, although there are other factors in play too.