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

Honda Civic (2011) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the ninth generation of Honda’s small car star, which has gestated from trend setting (Civic Mk1 of 1972) to stylistically dull if technically advanced (most) to sci-fi-style wacko but technically mainstream (Civic Mk8). New Civics, over the years, have been about as easy to forecast as David Beckham’s next hairstyle as Honda engineers – never the most predictable bunch – veer from brave to bashful. The new Civic, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, is eye-catching although less off-centre than generation eight, and is closed basely mechanically on its predecessor.

BMW 9-series concept expected to debut in Beijing

BMW will be previewing the upcoming 9-series sedan at the 2014 China Auto Show, according to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The extra-long-wheelbase 9-series will take on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach, which itself is production ready and is set to debut in a matter of months. The 9-series will be positioned alongside the Rolls-Royce Ghost in BMW's global lineup, and is expected to feature packaging and interior appointments similar to that of the S600 Maybach while building upon the design language recently seen in the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe.

New Jaguar XJC – the Coupe

Jaguar already has a new Jaguar XJC on the drawing board – a coupe version of the new Jaguar XJ The last Jaguar XJC was in the ’70s, and was built on the SWB version of the Series II Jaguar XJ.  In fact – by the time Jaguar got round to launching the XJC on to the market in 1975 – it was the only XJ that had the SWB, as all XJ saloons had moved over to the LWB as standard. A glorious-looking car – especially in ‘New Avengers’ guise as driven by Steed – it was plagued by the problems that beset British Leyland at the time.