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

Smart Forvision Concept points at new Fortwo

Smart Forvision Concept - a pointer to the 3rd generation Fortwo Just as they do with Maybach, Mercedes persist with Smart. Despite the fact that both outings must cost an arm and a leg to keep going with, as far as we know, no profits ever. And that perseverance seems unlikely to end any time soon – at least for Smart – with the reveal of the Smart Forvison Concept, which is heading for Frankfurt.

Pioneer App Radio officially unveiled

Pioneer has officially unveiled the App Radio that AutoWeek told you about earlier this month. Now that it's willing to talk, Pioneer claims that the radio and audio system is "the first in-vehicle product designed to utilize the processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps of the iPhone and iPod Touch as the primary source for its information and entertainment capabilities." That does sound a lot like what Mini Connected and, in a more platform-agnostic sense, Ford Sync are doing. Pioneer said it couldn't speak to the similarity of those systems, but Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for Pioneer's car-electronics division, briefed us on installation of the device and what Pioneer is doing to minimize driver distraction.

Mystery new luxury British sportscar planned

The name David Brown is famously associated with Aston Martin, as the company was once owned by a British entrepreneur who is now immortalised in a series of “DB” model lines, including James Bond’s favourite DB5 and the current DB9. We digress. Now another David Brown is hoping to make his mark – or should that be marque – on the British luxury motoring scene by launching an all-new David Brown Automotive brand in April 2014.