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

McLaren P1 XP2R caught at the Nurburgring. A ‘Special Edition’ P1?

The McLaren P1 XP2R (pictured) caught at the Nurburgring The McLaren P1 is pretty much out in the open, and has even had it’s dynamic debut – in the hands of Jenson Button – at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. So why is there a McLaren P1 blatting round the Nurburgring wearing a small badge that says ‘XP2R’? Is this a ‘special’ P1; perhaps the first hint that McLaren are going to produce an even more extreme P1?

Abarth Fiat 500 Convertible confirmed. Punto Abarth coming?

It looks like plans for an Abarth version of the 500C for 2010 are confrmed But a successful model is always going to spawn whatever variants a car maker can viably muster, so our report in July that we will see an Abarth version of the 500C in Spring 2010 – probably at the Geneva Motor Show – now seem to have been confirmed as ‘jokeforblog’ has published pictures of what seems to be a road-ready Abarth Convertible at Abarth’s facility. Now that will be a bunch of fun – and just in time for next Summer. Spy shot of the Abarth 500 Cabriolet It also now seems likely that Fiat are pushing ahead with a new Abarth version of the Punto.

Le Mans champ: laser lights are the future

Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours race champion Allan McNish has told us that technology first trialled at the world famous endurance event often makes it on to road cars – and this year’s big thing will be laser lights. Speaking ahead of Le Mans 2014, McNish said that racing is more relevant to everyday cars than people think – with features from seat belts to windscreen wipers debuting at the race. Audi R8 V10 plus review (2013 onwards) Las Vegas debut for Audi Sport Quattro laserlight concept “The laser light’s on this year’s Audis will make it onto road cars straight away,” McNish told us.