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

Concept Car of the Week: Mercedes-Benz C111, C111-II and C111-IID

In 1962, Mercedes-Benz launched a research program to investigate the development of the Wankel rotary engine and its potential both on the road and track. While the early mule wasn't a looker, the prototype's design continued to evolve until a public unveiling of the C111-I concept, designed by Bruno Sacco, at the 1969 Frankfurt motor show. The coupé may have looked like the systematic further development of the Sport Light models from the ‘50s with its gullwing doors, but it wasn't a design study for a new SL.

Fiat Panda Aria and Grande Punto Abarth SS concepts

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 17 September 2007 02:50 Aria goes green, Abarth gets sporty, 500 goes large… Fiat’s signature white stand featured both ends of the car spectrum: From the eco Panda Aria concept to a new even sportier version of the Grande Punto, the Abarth SS prototype. It arguably had the best show stand gimmick at Frankfurt too – a giant Fiat 500 model the size of a two-storey building housing a monorail on which punters could ride life-size 500 cars around its innards – entered through the giant 500’s wheel arch. Anyway… what about this eco Panda thingy… Oh yes, the Fiat Aria ‘concept’ is subtle like that.

Skoda Octavia vRS to hit 200mph at Bonneville

The Skoda Octavia vRS - Bonneville bound. Skoda has come a very long way since Volkswagen rescued it from the ignominy of the communist era, and restored the pride to the Czech car maker. But even though the Skoda of today is now a mainstream maker of quality cars, things haven’t changed so much that they are about to launch a 200mph Skoda, or at least not one you can pop to your local Skoda dealers and get a VAT-free deal on.