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

First Fiat 500s will have stick shifts

The 2012 Fiat 500 , heading to U.S. dealerships later than first expected, is enduring another hiccup: The first units arriving in dealerships in late February will have manual transmissions, the company said. Moreover, only about 20 percent of the 130 Fiat dealerships will be open when those first cars arrive, said Laura Soave, head of the Fiat brand in North America, at the Detroit auto show last week.

Land Rover DC100 concept

Land Rover's new DC100 concept vehicle is due to make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, with the manufacturer also confirming that a new Defender is anticipated for 2015. The DC100 concept will be building upon the existing characteristics of the car and it is hoped that the concept will act as a catalyst for debate concerning the future of Defender models. The design team is headed by Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's director of design, who says, "This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century." John Edwards, global brand director at Land Rover, explains that the manufacturer wants to engage with existing customers to finalise the details of the new vehicle as part of their plans to direct the future of the Defender.

As Winter Approaches 4x4 Values Are On The Rise

YOU know winter is here when the forecast is for rising 4x4 prices in the used market. Just like in summer when you can guarantee convertible premiums will rise faster than an electric roof, the prospect of rain, wind and snow is said to be driving up the values of sought after SUVs. According to data from British Car Auctions (BCA) the trend is already well advanced, with values in October showing a 7.3 per cent increase over September.