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

Who's Where: Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski swap roles at Ford

Ford's Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski have swapped roles, with Svensson becoming exterior design director, The Americas, and Piaskowski director of design, Asia Pacific. Svensson, who will report directly to Moray Callum, Ford's executive design director, The Americas, is based in the carmaker's Dearborn studio. He oversees the exterior design team responsible for developing new products in the North and South American regions as well as supporting Ford's global design.

GM expands brake-override safety feature

General Motors is significantly expanding the use of a brake-override safety feature in its cars through the end of 2012. GM announced on Monday that it will add the software, which it also calls “enhanced smart-pedal technology,” in all of its passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control. The change will reduce power to the engine when both the throttle and brakes are pressed at the same time.

2012 Mercedes A-Class: The Concept-A Videos

Mercedes Concept-A Video We had the first proper details on the Mercedes Concept-A earlier this week, which points the way – as a slightly tamed-down version – to the 2012 Mercedes A-Class. That Mercedes A Class will not just arrive as a hatch but will – in cojunction with the new Mercedes B-Class that will also utilise Mercedes new MFA platform – spawn models as diverse as a shooting brake, crossover, coupe and cabriolet. It seems – with all the derivatives that appear to be planned – that Mercedes are looking to out-MINI MINI in the variations on a theme game.