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

Ariel's Atom returns faster than ever

BRITISH firm Ariel has announced an upgraded version of its sensational Atom sportscar that is faster than ever, making it one of the quickest cars on sale today. The Atom 3.5R showcases a number of upgrades over the outgoing model which contribute to the sensational performance. The 2.0-litre Honda V-TEC engine has had its supercharger revised to give 350bhp and over 240lb.ft of torque, while the gearbox is now a six-speed paddleshift system that can manage five downshifts in less than a second.

Mullin Museum to open next month

What promises to be one of the most significant automotive-museum openings in decades will take place next month when collector Peter Mullin opens the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, Calif. Mullin is known for his love of French cars, and the museum will have more than 100 of them. Graceful and elegant Delahayes, Delages, Talbot-Lagos, Voisins, Hispano-Suizas and Bugattis will all be on hand, wrapped in voluptuous forms from coachbuilders Chapron, Figoni et Falaschi, Gangloff, Vanvooren, Labourdette, Letourneur et Marchand and Saoutchik, among others.

Hyundai ix20

Hyundai has revealed the first images of its new ix20, a new B-segment MPV that will join the Korean automaker's product range in Europe later this year. Following on from the ix35, the ix20 is the second European car to adopt Hyundai's new 'fluidic sculpture' design language.  The new car, which will make its official debut at the Paris motor show, has been designed and developed at Hyundai's European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, under the direction of Thomas Buerkle. The car's name is said to reflect the new model's crossover-like versatility, which combines functionality with sportier driving dynamics.  Hyundai claims the ix20 aims to steer away from the boxy minivan image typically associated with the segment and appeal to buyers with young families.