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

VW and Chinese ‘in talks to buy Vauxhall/Opel’ from GM

GM is considering selling its loss-making European operations, it emerged tonight. If it goes ahead and severs ties with GM Europe, the General would cede control of Vauxhall and Opel, the second biggest car brand in the UK.And in another extraordinary twist, CAR has confirmed that top-level talks have been taking place between Volkswagen and the German government, which is keen to avoid Opel falling into foreign hands. Chinese car makers are circling but Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has close connections to Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn, would prefer VW to step up to the plate as a potential buyer than a Chinese brand.

Porsche shows Cayenne can do off-road – just like the new Range Rover Sport

Porsche shows the new Cayenne S Diesel can do off-road The Porsche Cayenne has come in for some stick since it first arrived a decade ago as the first SUV from Porsche. The world declared the Cayenne too ugly to look at – well, that was the opinion of a certain Mr Clarkson – but anyone who’s lived with a Cayenne will know just how focused it is; it feels like a high-riding M5 to drive and, despite the misconception that sporty SUVs don’t do off-road, it’s remarkably capable when the going gets tough. We’re sure it’s just a coincidence that the 2013 Porsche Performance Drive – from Chisinau to Bratislava – is taking place just after the new Range Rover Sport arrived as a truly capable sporty SUV – with its Land Rover off-road credentials still intact – but the event has given Porsche the chance to show the new Cayenne S Diesel can also do off-road with aplomb.

New Nissan Juke explodes in to view (sort of)

This, apparently, is the new Nissan Juke We’ve already seen a number of ‘teases’ for new cars due to debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next month, and this afternoon it’s the turn of Nissan to tease the 2014 Juke facelift with a completely uninformative teaser image. The Nissan Juke – revealed four year ago at the Geneva Motor Show after a preview as the Nissan Qazana Concept the year before - brought Nissan’s funky compact crossover to the public’s attention and introduced a new ‘Ugly is Appealing’ look to mainstream motoring. But four years is a long time in the car world, and many other have tried to grab a piece of the Juke’s market place, so it’s time to give it a refresh with a facelifted version heading for Geneva next month.