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

The 2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Turns out the Trapp Family Singers aren't the only Austrian product worth hearing. Kronreif und Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen (KTM), an 80-year-old motorcycle manufacturer based two hours east of Munich is enjoying newfound influence and recently launched its biggest, baddest-sounding machine yet: the 1290 Super Duke R. Light and lithe, the latest Super Duke features a narrow 1301cc DOHC 75-degree V-twin with amazing bandwidth.

Audi RS6 Avant heads for EJAF with a little help from Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow signing an Audi RS6 Avant heading for Elton John’s White Tie & Tiara Auction Audi UK has a bit of a history of donating cars for auction at Elton John’s annual White Tie & Tiara Ball in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation, and 2013′s no different. In the past we’ve had the appealing R8 Spyder as an EJAF auction lot and an A1 painted by Damien Hirst, but this year the EJAF is getting the super-estate Audi RS6 Avant, scribbled on by the delectable Gwyneth Paltrow. Audi roped in Gwyneth to turn up at the UK launch of the new RS6 Avant at Audi City in London and got her scribbling her moniker  on the interior of the RS6, a task Audi says would make their uber-shed worth £88k if they sold it – but if previous EJAF auctions of Audi’s cars is anything to go by it’ll fetch a lot more than that when the hammer goes down.

McLaren P1′s Pirelli P Zero Corsas key to performance +video

The new McLaren P1 is shod with custom-made Pirelli P Zero Corsa Tyres specially developed to meet the challenges of a 903bhp supercar. Ron Dennis has already told us that he has driven the P1 round the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold a full 10 seconds quicker than the Pagani Huayra went round, so we know the P1 has huge abilities on tap. But what’s also interesting is that Ron did his Top Gear lap on the P1′s road tyres, specially developed for McLaren by Pirelli, and not on hand-cut slicks like the Pagani Huayra.