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

Mercedes SLM AMG – the mid-engined baby SLS

The Mercedes SLM AMG - a baby, mid-engined SLS Ever since the Mercedes SLS launched – in truth, even before – there have been rumours of a smaller version. Just like we’ve had with the Audi R8. But it seems that unlike Audi – who will be making an Audi R4 – Mercedes and AMG have decided that another front-engined supercar – even a smaller, cheaper one – would erode the sales base for the SLS.

Range Rover LRX announced

The Range Rover LRX will debut in 2010 and go on sale in 2011 We last reported on the Land Rover LRX last month, when it became pretty clear that Land Rover are pushing ahead with the project after receiving some Government funding for the LRX Concept in March. And it seemed that they were planning to show the RR LRX in June next year – 40 years on from the first showing of the original luxury off-roader – the Range Rover – in 1970. That now seems to be confirmed, with Land Rover stating the LRX will debut next year and go on sale in 2011.

Crunch watch Jan 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Gareth Evans Motor Industry 30 January 2009 12:39 Friday 30 January 2009• Honda is about to close the Swindon factory for four months when Friday's shifts are finished; the shutdown will affect 2500 of the 3700 staff, who will receive full pay for two months and then 60% pay for the next eight weeks (BBC News)• Porsche has announced a sharp drop in sales and likely profits. It forecasts a 27% drop in 911, Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne sales to around 34,000 units in the six months to the end of January 2009 (Financial Times, subscription required)• Ford wants Washington to do more to stimulate car sales, after posting a record loss of nearly $14.6 billion earlier this week (Detroit News)• Honda's quarterly profit has crashed by 90% – forcing the Japanese car maker to halve its annual profit target (Detroit Free Press)Thursday 29 January 2009• Ford of Europe is a bright spot in the Blue Oval's quarterly results today, making $1.06 billion pre-tax profit in 2008 (up from $997m in 2007). It's the first profit of more than $1bn since 1989 (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Volvo suffered a 'disastrous 2008' with a pre-tax loss of $1.46bn.