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

VW Pickup concept (2008): first official photos

By Chris Chilton First Official Pictures 24 September 2008 18:00 He’s designed Alfa Romeos, Audis and even a Lamborghini but now Walter de'Silva has gone all humanitarian and designed a pick-up.  VW’s first small flatbed since the Mk1 Golf-based Caddy will take on trucks like the Toyota Hilux and Mitusbishi L200 when it goes on sale late in 2009. It is, but not for long. This thinly veiled concept, called simply Pickup Concept, has been designed as a search and rescue vehicle for coastguards but essentially this is what badge-conscious UK builders will be driving in 2009. The new Volkswagen corporate face with its monobrow top grille and wide mouth is likely to be carried over mostly unchanged to the cars that will roll off the South African production line, as will the surprisingly stylish interior which features hooded instruments and Audi TT-style air vents. Mechanical details are sketchy but Volkswagen claims that engines will be common-rail diesels which rules out the old-tech 2.5 five pot that powers many of VW’s current commercials.

Is the DfT trying to nobble 80mph speed limit trials?

With trials proposed for an 80mph speed limit, the ABD are asking if the DfT are trying to fix the trials by running them on congested motorways. When the ConDems came to power, and Philip Hammond was made Transport Secretary, we did hope that might be a sign that government policy on cars would finally make sense, especially when Philip Hammond declared ‘The war on motorists is over‘. Philip’s aim was to look at stuff like national speed limits and create a system that made sense, rather than the silly situation we have where everyone knows you won’t get nicked for 85mph on a motorway unless plod got out of bed the wrong side.

Renault 4 Ever design competition

DesignBoom has teamed up with Renault to create a unique design competition. With the Renault 4 entering its 50th year, the aim of the competition is to redesign and recreate the classic R4. The free-to-enter competition is open to anyone, not just design students and professionals.