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

MINI Paceman debuts in Detroit

The MINI Paceman debuts in Detroit The MINI Paceman debuts in Detroit   The fact that MINI has put together yet another concept – the MINI Pacemen –  comes as no surprise (especially as MINI sent us details of the MINI Paceman last month). In fact, the launch of the MINI Countryman last year arguably gives MINI the ability to double their range over time by making more versions of the supersized MINI to add to the seemingly endless versions of the original BMW MINI which litter the roads. And that’s exactly what the MINI Paceman is – a concept based on the MINI Countryman.

Industry pulse: NHTSA administrator David Strickland talks distracted driving

Editor's note: In an exclusive interview with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator David Strickland, Melanie Batenchuk of Be Car Chic asked about distracted driving and the agency's combined efforts with the Department of Transportation to curb this bad behavior. David Strickland has been championing safer, distraction-free driving since the beginning of his tenure at NHTSA in January 2010. Strickland has been working tirelessly toward this goal alongside stakeholders such as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, private-sector executives, automobile manufacturers and safety advocacy groups.

Ariel Atom 3.5 (2012) first official pictures

It's difficult for Ariel to come up with a mid-life refresh for its cars - there simply aren't that many bits to fiddle with in the first place. Still, the boys from Somerset must have succeeded, because what we have here is the freshly updated Ariel Atom 3.5. As the name suggests, it's a development of the Ariel Atom 3, with a crop of minor visual  tweaks and some mechanical changes too, keeping Caterham and BAC looking over their shoulders.