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

Top Gear: Clarkson, Hammond & May sign for another 3 years

It’s been revealed that Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have signed up for another 3 years of Top Gear. There may not be a new series of Top Gear on its way until 2013, but we now know that Top Gear as we know it – with Jeremy, Richard and James – is safe for another three years after the trio signed a new deal with the BBC, tying them in to Top Gear until 2016. So, despite the naysayers claiming Top Gear has had its day and will end soon, we can guarantee another three years of the nation’s (and the world’s) favourite car entertainment programme.

VW's wild new 496-hp Golf GTI

UPDATED: Volkswagen has revealed a 496-hp version of the seventh-generation Golf GTI as part of activities at this year's Worthersee fan meet in Austria – and with it, projected the hot hatchback into the same league as some of the world's most celebrated supercars. Dubbed the Design Vision GTI, the radical new concept showcases a twin-turbocharged 3-liter V6 engine developed for use in upcoming models that, like the new Golf GTI, are based around Volkswagen's highly flexible MQB (modular transverse architecture) platform structure. Set to find its way into selected new Volkswagen models in future years, the direct injection engine replaces the Golf GTI's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four, and is mounted transversely in the engine bay of the Design Vision GTI.

Nissan NV200: Nissan’s take on the London Taxi

Nissan is taking on the Black Cab market with the Nissan NV200 London Taxi, expected to go on sale in 2014 from around £30k. It may not be the biggest market in the car world, but the profile of the London Taxi makes it a worthwhile target for car makers. Mercedes recently took on the traditional Black Cab with their Vito-based taxi and did a very good job – but at a price; the Mercedes Vito Cab costs around £42k, almost £10k more than the traditional London Taxi.