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

McLaren P1 gets an Arctic shakedown (+video)

So McLaren are busy throwing the worst conditions they can at the P1 to make sure it can perform even in the harshest of conditions and be the best driver’s car in the world – even when there’s several feet of ice under its wheels. McLaren has had several XP prototypes of the P1 running round the world’s harshest climates – hot and cold – and have delivered a video of the P1 prototype playing on the ice in the north of Sweden – inside the Arctic Circle – to keep interest in the P1 bubbling along ahead of its dynamic debut in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Despite its enormous power – 903bhp from a combination of its turbo 3.8 litre V8 and electric motor – the P1 does look composed and capable, even with sub-zero temperatures and a surface that has zero grip.

2012 Mercedes SL – the aluminium supercar

2012 Mercedes SL - it's got a lot of aluminium It’s perhaps a step too far to describe the 2012 Mercedes SL as an aluminium supercar, but there is no doubt the 2012 SL will be a super car, and that it gets made from aluminium instead of steel. And the 2012 SL 63 AMG will undoubtedly be in the supercar league. Just like Jaguar, Mercedes sees the liberal use of aluminium as a cost-effective way to make its cars both lighter and more rigid.

Nurburgring sold to German parts maker Capricorn Group for £83.5 million

The Nurburgring has been saved from bankruptcy The Nurburgring complex in Germany – home to many a car makers test centre and beloved of wannabe racers – has been saved from bankruptcy with an £83.5 million deal. German parts maker Capricorn Group have stumped up over £83.5 million to buy the Nurburgring complex which includes the famous 13 mile North Loop Track as well as the Grand Prix Circuit and have committed to spending and additional £21 million to further develop and improve the site. The Nurburgring track fell in to bankruptcy back in 2012, and it looked for a while as if the whole thing could be closed down, but bids from Capricorn Group and one other have saved the day, with Capricorn winning out with the bigger bid.