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

AA warns of 'exceptional' bank holiday traffic

THIS YEAR’S Whitsun Bank Holiday is likely to be one of the busiest on the roads in recent years as it coincides with the start of half term for many families, according to the AA and traffic information specialist Trafficmaster. As schools in England and Wales take their half-term break during the last week of May, coinciding with the Late Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 26th May, traffic is likely to be exceptionally busy on main trunk routes. Although the weather presents a potentially mixed picture for the bank holiday weekend, the AA estimates that up to 17 million cars could be on Britain’s roads.

Mercedes’ AMG division unveils new twin-turbo V8

Those obsessed with torque bemoaned Mercedes’ high-revving 6.2-litre V8 when it was launched in 2005, but just as the world has come to accept the naturally aspirated engine, the company has now unveiled a new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8. Up to 563bhp – which is the same as the SLS AMG – and 663lb ft, which is much more than the 479lb ft the modern-day Gullwing supercar manages. The engine is an all-new 5.5-litre V8 (5461cc to be exact) with direct-injection technology, an aluminium crankcase and two turbochargers.

Mercedes B55 (2011) - a ballistic V8 B-class

Mercedes' tuning arm AMG has not yet ventured into sensible B-class territory, but a bunch of Merc trainees in Germany has come up with this: the B55. It's a V8-powered B-class, complete with AMG-spec 383bhp 5.5-litre V8 mounted up front and driving an old W210 E-class rear axle. Sounds like a promising skunkworks special, derived from an old B200 CDI hack that was kicking about the training centre.