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

Porsche Boxster (2012) first official pictures

Porsche only pulled the covers off the new 911 Cabriolet at the 2012 Detroit motor show three days ago, but it’s already unveiling another convertible: the new Porsche Boxster. Faster, lighter, cleaner, more economical, and (most importantly) better looking than its predecessor, it will be officially revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, before going on sale in the UK on 28 April 2012. Let’s start with the new Porsche Boxster’s looks then… It’s still recognisably a Boxster, but the headlights are now more vertically stacked, the doors are scalloped to flow into the bigger side intakes, a strong crease runs between the tail lamps and integrates with the pop-up rear spoiler, and every line and angle is just a little bit sharper and more dynamic.  The Porschephiles amongst you would have also spotted that the folding fabric roof no longer has a panel to drop behind; instead the roof itself now doubles as the cover when the hood is stowed.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.

Concept Car of the Week: Citroën C-Metisse (2006)

Citroen was on a roll back in 2006, in terms of its production cars such as the C4 and C6, but most notably in advanced design. The previous 'C-' range of concepts that started in 2002 with the C-Airdream, swiftly followed by the C-Airlounge and C-Sportlounge. But there's a feeling that the this fourth car in the series was the one that showed the PSA design team at its flamboyant best.