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

Honda fires new F1 engine for first time

EVEN BEFORE the 2013 Formula 1 season has ended preparations and development are already well under way for next year, especially so because of a radical change to the rules. From 2014 all cars will be powered by small 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engines, signalling the end of the current 2.4-litre non-turbocharged V8 engines, bringing them closer in basic layout - if not output - to normal road car engines. For Honda 2015 is a return to the sport in partnership with McLaren, and the Japanese firm's engines will power the 2015 McLaren challenger.

Aston Martin launches Centenary Editions of DB9, Vantage, Vanquish & Rapide

Aston Martin celebrates its centenary with Centenary Edition versions of their entire range featuring special paint finish and bespoke interiors. One hundred years ago today, Aston Martin arrived as Bamford & Martin as Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford formed the company which would, just a year later, become Aston Martin, and to celebrate the centenary Aston Martin is creating 100 Centenary Editions of each of its model range (although not, it seems, the Cygnet). All the centenary Edition cars (V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish) will feature a unique graduated paint finish and get adorned with solid sterling silver wing badges (don’t park your Centenary Edition Aston Martin in a public car park with the current price of silver) with tailored ‘Trans Flux’ enamel inlay.

VW to unveil Beetle Dune concept at Detroit Auto Show

The jury is out as to whether Volkswagen's Beetle Dune concept is more Frank Herbert or Bruce Meyers. Equipped with all mod cons, it’s a far cry from the simple, tough desert-race-inspired Bugs that popped up like aggro sandworms during the 1970s. On the other hand, it's still got four gasoline-burning cylinders and two-wheel drive.