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

Mazda MX-5 Miata

For only the fourth time since the first was introduced 25 years ago - when it reignited the small sports car market - there's a new Mazda MX-5 Miata. Mazda's aim this time was to strip away much of the bulk that had accumulated over the years, recapturing the essence of a compact, light and affordable roadster. The subtext is that the MX-5 Miata has become a car more often bought by women in their 60s, rather than the young males it was originally intended for.

New Volvo XC90 (2014) previewed by Volvo designers

Volvo's view on the 2014 XC90 The Volvo XC90 is still a capable cross between a luxury SUV and a Crossover (as we discovered recently when we played with the XC-90 R-Design for a week), but it is now very ancient. Launched in 2002, the XC90 has soldiered on essentially unchanged (bar some tweaks and the R-Design options), yet despite that it’s still a credible option with some very appealing traits. But it’s well past time to reveal a new XC90.

The case of the disappearing Lambos

Now this should have rung an alarm bell or two at the time, but it seems it didn’t. Back in November the world’s largest Lamborghini dealership – Lamborghini Orange County – turned up its toes and closed the doors, apparently a victim of the downturn in car sales. Not the oddest story in these times admittedly, but a bit odd when you consider that Lamborghini OC was reckoned to be responsible for 10% of Lamborghini’s sales worldwide, shifting around 240 cars a year.