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

Toyota Prius points the way to design future

For a glimpse of Toyota's future design trends, check out the Prius. The third generation, debuting Monday in Japan, stays true to the line's role as a vanguard of futuristic styling and sports many new elements that will be popping up soon in other models. Chief among these are the sharply creased corners, the forward placement of the Toyota badge, a lowered grille and styling that Toyota's global design chief Wahei Hirai calls "free-form geometrics." The goal was to create an avant-garde, high-tech look that also screams green.

MotoGP champ Valentino Rossi creates special Vauxhall Adam

Nine-time motorcycling Grand Prix World Champion Valentino Rossi has teamed up with Opel to create a special version of its Adam city car. The Italian two-wheel demon collaborated with famous motorcycle helmet designer Aldo Drudi to create the one-off Adam (sold by Opel’s sister company Vauxhall here in the UK) – and boy, is it bright. On Bing: see pictures of the Vauxhall Adam Find out how much a used Vauxhall Adam costs on Auto Trader The car has been created with charity in mind, and will be donated to the not-for-profit Meyer Children’s Hospital Foundation – the unique Adam will go up for auction at a fundraiser this December, with all proceeds going to the organisation.

Jaguar Crossover could be the Q-Type or XQ

The fastest growing segment in the car market is the Crossover / SUV, especially the more compact crossovers. So if Jaguar are going to compete in the big league they’re going to have to tap in to Land Rover’s expertise at some point and come up with their own Crossover (NOT a Jaguar SUV, as Ian Callum made clear). That could perhaps be getting closer with the news that Jaguar has registered both the Q-Type and XQ monikers after Pistonheads played Sherlock and dug the details out from the bowels of the European Union trademark database.