Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Honda's future: small cars, no NSX or Euro Acura

Honda CRZ concept at the 2009 Tokyo motor show; one of the cars unveiled by Honda CEO Takanobu Ito By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 23 October 2009 11:22 Honda chief executive Takanobu Ito today spelled out his vision for the next decade at Honda to CAR Online. No successor to the NSX is under development, but there will be a smaller city car slotting under the Jazz in Honda's range. It will be launched in Asia at first, potentially following in the rest of the world.Ito, who is also president of Honda R&D, said that the company had no firm plans for a pure battery electric vehicle at this stage – the onus is on hybrid petrol electric cars and fuel-cell models.It will continue to develop diesels for Europe, but Ito admitted a project to build clean-fuel diesels for the US market had been cancelled.

Vauxhall's new badge

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 09 April 2008 00:00 Vauxhall has redesigned its griffin badge - and the new Insignia is the first car that will bear the new mascot. It's a typically modern rebranding: the graphic designers have zoomed in on the upper torso of the griffin, giving it a sharper, modern look and the word Vauxhall is now incorporated in the badge.The company's grille-wide V front end will be abandoned, the new grille preferring an Opel-style roundel, enlarged and sitting slap bang in the middle of the grille. It's not all change, however.