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

Behind The Scenes: Hot Wheels Design Studio [w/Video]

Hot Wheels' vice president of design Felix Holst has spent some time chatting to Cool Hunting about the brand's design philosophy at its Design Studio at Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo, California, in a new video. According to Holst Hot Wheels has evolved from being focused on muscle cars and V8 engines to being all about technology as a reflection of the new generation they're designing for.  He explains the benefits of designing over 240 vehicles a year that aren't limited by rules and regulations, saying in a studio that's driven by pushing the boundaries, it's a question of just how wild they can get.  The video really captures not only the men's passion for their jobs but the fun they have doing it. Small wonder Holst says he'd never go back to car design, and reveals the studio is packed with qualified car designers who chose Hot Wheels over conventional jobs in the industry.  We also hear from Hot Wheels Car Maker's designer Julian Payne, who explains how the new Car Maker – which gives you the chance to mold your own custom Hot Wheels at home – works.

Ferrari to show Enzo replacement to a select few by the end of the year

Ferrari will show the replacement for the Enzo supercar to a select group of current and potential customers at the end of 2012, Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said. “We want to surprise people not just in terms of price but also with the car itself,” Montezemolo told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of the Geneva motor show last week. Ferrari has not decided when the new limited-edition model will make its public debut.

Caterham announces cut-price Seven 160 sports car

BRITISH sports car maker Caterham has announced a new low- priced version of its long-running Seven model. Dubbed the Seven 160, the new model starts at a measly £14,995 in component form or £17,995 fully built. Under the bonnet there is a turbocharged 660cc Suzuki engine and although this only offers up a modest 80bhp, that's still enough to power the lightweight Seven from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds.