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

July 14: Figuring out range

Topping off the tank seems to work best. By keeping it full I get a lot more freedom and a lot less range anxiety. Today I drove up to Pasadena twice, down to Los Angeles, west to Santa Monica and all the way back to my office in LA.

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.

Fiat Centro Stile shares Panda Design sketches

After debuting at the Frankfurt motor show, and impressing us in the process, Fiat has released a series of fun illustrations documenting the new Panda's design process. Produced by the Centro Stile Fiat, the illustrations aim to highlight and describe the new stylistic features and functions of the city car. The new Panda is said to be inspired by 'the most modern trends' and is also based on the idea that every user has their own needs.