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

John Hennessey unwinds modified Chevy SS

Perhaps it's not as impressive as John Hennessey's recent 200mph blast down Houston's new Grand Parkway in a warmed-up Stingray, but we figured we'd show you his latest run down the same road in a Chevrolet SS equipped with his company's HPE600 Supercharged package. Thanks to GM's engineers, the four-door hits its top speed of 163 in 5th, rather than 6th, but what impressed us the most was watching the numbers climb on the VBOX — the car pulls John-Bonham-hard all the way up to its top speed. Hennessey hasn't released details of the mods performed on the SS yet, but we're anxious to see what this anodyne-looking monster will do on the top end once the gearing nag's sent off to the glue factory.

Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 Preview

The Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 runs from 17th -27th September to the public Many of the Japanese makers will be conspicuous by their absence, but that should be more than made up for by the launches from the big European makers. And of course the Koreans – in the guise of Hyundai and Kia – will do what they’re starting to do in the market place and fill the gap left by the Japanese. You can already check out all the stories in one place for The Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, but we thought we’d highlight a few of the cars we know are making an appearance, in case you’ve missed them in the last few weeks.

New Aston Martin DBS WON’T keep the ‘DBS’ badge

The replacement for the Aston Martin DBS (right) will look much like the One-77 (left) at the back The revised Aston Martin DBS – due to arrive later in 2012 – will take many styling cues from the One-77 and get a new name. Aston Martin are busy working on an updated DBS (which is why we’re about to get the DBS Ultimate Edition) and are aiming for a reveal by the Paris Motor Show in September. But this isn’t going to be just a facelift for the DBS.