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

WRC Mini Concept (2010) first official pictures

While the Mini Countryman might be destined for suburban mumsville, BMW has confirmed the new model will also terrorise the countryside in the form of the WRC Mini from 2011, with IRC champ Kris Meeke at the wheel. Officially launched at the 2010 Paris motor show in concept guise, the WRC Mini will be engineered and run by motorsport doyen Dave Richards and his Prodrive outfit, although customer packages will be available too, allowing independents to compete in the car. Not so much – this is no time for misty-eyed Paddy Hopkirk odes.

NO SIGN OF SLUMP IN VALUES ACCORDING TO LATEST REPORT

DEMAND continued to keep values relatively firm in the used commercial vehicle market in February, according to leading vehicle auction specialist, British Car Auctions (BCA). Despite volumes rising sharply average values fell by £76 (1.8%) in February while sold volumes increased by nearly 13% over the same period, following a near 50% increase between December and January. Average monthly values have broadly remained between £4,000 and £4,200 since summer 2010.

Autoweek Design Forum returns with style

Creating striking products for a new generation of consumers was a hot topic at the Autoweek Design Forum, which returned on Thursday with an A-list panel of designers from the car world and a man credited with the proliferation of the Apple iPod. Heady company, and it resulted in interesting speeches and debates about design, technology and marketing--and making it all work together. The annual event is held at the College for Creative Studies A.