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

Infiniti Q30 concept (2013) first picture of Infiniti’s 1-series rival

This is our first look at the new Infiniti Q30 hatchback’s styling, in official design sketch form. Infiniti will display the actual Q30 concept at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2013 – the showroom model goes into production in 2015. It’s good news for the UK – 60,000 new Q30s will roll off the production line at parent-brand Nissan’s Sunderland factory every year.

Honda’s Insight for Europe revealed

  Honda Insight for UK undercuts the Prius [ad#ad-1] Last week at the Detroit Motor Show, Honda revealed its Prius-challenging Insight Hybrid, and has today revealed details on the UK/Euro version. The new Insight, which utilises a 1.3 litre petrol engine with 88bhp, coupled with a 14bhp electric motor to give a 0-60 of just over 12 seconds and 113mph, has very low Co2 of 101-105g/km (which means just £35 VED – but if only they’d shaved that a smidge it would have been a freebie) which is very creditable. Honda has the Prius firmly in its sights with this car, and it aims to comfortably undercut the Prius on price.

Mercedes S Class production cut as sales fall

Mercedes is cutting production of the range topping S Class to a one shift operation as sales fall ahead of the new 2013 S Class. But there are now plenty of signs that even premium car makers are not immune from the economic climate – particularly in Europe – as sales start to slide. We recently commented that Jaguar sales are not as strong as they were and now it seems Mercedes is starting to feel the punch as sales of the range-topping S Class falter.