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

Jason Castriota to head Saab Design

When Car Design News spoke to Jason Castriota about the new design consultancy he had set up in New York and Turin back in March, the designer told us he was working on a very exciting automotive project that he couldn't talk about at the time. It turns out that automotive project was for Saab, as last week the Swedish automaker announced it had hired Jason Castriota Design to oversee the development of a new generation of Saab products – the first to be completed under the tenure of its new owners, Spyker. Castriota's new appointment marks the shift from Saab's former position – where the brand was an integrated company within GM – to its newfound placement as an independent automaker, with Castriota essentially filling the role previously occupied by Mark Adams, GM Europe's Vice President of Design.

Aston Martin Cygnet preview

Aston Martin has developed a new 'innovative commuter concept car' called the Cygnet. If you're thinking it looks like the design team's placed a downsized Aston Martin grille onto a Toyota iQ, you wouldn't be far off. The luxury commuter concept, which Aston Martin claims will 'offer customers a distinctive, intelligent and exclusive solution for urban travel in style and luxury' is actually based on the diminutive urban runabout and was created in collaboration with the Japanese automaker.

Hyundai goes K-Pop and releases an album

Hyundai has teamed up with Korean pop stars to create an album of music inspired by the new i40, New Generation i30 and Veloster. We’ve loved the way Hyundai has moved its products on from  Halford’s special to mainstream credible in quick sticks, and their PR teams have been on the ball too with good initiatives and a willingness to make things happen. But we’re not too sure how effective a new album of music by Korea’s K-Pop stars – inspired, we’re told, by the new i40, New Generation i30 and Veloster – is as a marketing tool.