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

Driven: Range Rover Evoque

As Sam Livingstone opines in his review of the latest Porsche 911, we are in a period of car design consolidation, with the new 911 the ultimate expression of a slightly suffocating trend. Yet every so often, a vehicle appears that breaks these rules and – through a combination of factors that can be difficult to quantify – captures the imagination, becoming a symbol of the times and an overnight market success. Such vehicles tend to emerge once a decade or so, yet the late 90s and early noughties were extraordinary for giving birth to three – the Ford Ka of '96, Audi TT of '98 and Mini of '01.

Chrysler details changes to minivan, Jeep Patriot

Wider use of the Pentastar V6, fascia changes and more luxurious materials in the interior are the key changes being made to the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and the Jeep Patriot for the 2011 model year. The changes come as Chrysler works to revive interest in its products after nearly two years of virtually no new-product activity while the automaker worked through a government-sponsored bankruptcy. Earlier this year, Chrysler unveiled the redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is now on sale.

The cars were stars at the Television/Motion Picture Car Club's first show

When we first heard about this show, we figured it would be all famous cars from famous movies: the real Bullitt Mustang, the real Herbie, the real pod racer from Star Wars. While there were some actual movie cars at the first show of the newly minted Television/Motion Picture Car Club--including the Charger from Fast & Furious and a real Dukes of Hazzard General Lee--the majority of the wheels were tribute cars made by fans who happened to work in the movie industry. The only Star Wars car was a converted Honda Civic Del Sol with a stuffed green Yoda riding shotgun.