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

Peugeot 308 CC (2008): first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 July 2008 09:26 Peugeot – the pioneer of folding hard tops – today unveils the new 308 CC. It's not a radical coupe cabriolet, but it's a gentle evolution of the 307 CC blueprint: a four-seater family hatch turned convertible.The French company invented the first production opening metal roof back in the 1930s, after a few coachbuilders toyed with low-volume concepts, and then brought them to the mainstream with the 206 CC in 2001. The new 308 CC follows the same formula with a metal roof that somersaults into its loadbed in 20 seconds to leave a completely flat (if long) rear deck.Gobbling boot space as it goes?Naturally, the  boot shrinks when the roof is lowered, dipping from 465 litres to 266 when it's stowed.

Alfa Romeo 8C based Disco Volante by Touring makes limited production

The Alfa Romeo Disco Volante (pictured) is going in to limited production The Alfa Romeo 8C is a beautiful – if flawed – supercar from Alfa, made even more individual by by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera with their Alfa Disco Volante Concept in 2012. That Concept – which arrived at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012 – has now been updated for 2013 and is being put in to limited production for those with deep pockets to indulge in an Alfa even more rare than the 8C itself. The Disco Volante pays homage to the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante – based on the Alfa 1900 – and is built from aluminium and carbon fibre to keep weight in check, although under the skin remains pretty much Alfa 8C.

Gronholm makes explosive debut at Pikes Peak

By Alex Michaelides Motor Shows 24 July 2009 11:55 Finnish rally ace Marcus Gronholm averted disaster to make a promising debut at the 2009 Pikes Peak international hillclimb. The world rally champion’s attempt was severely hampered when the rear tyre of his Ford Fiesta exploded, forcing him to limp home to a still-respectable fifth position in a time of 11min 28.963sec. Japanese rally star Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima claimed first prize in his Suzuki SX4 with a time of 10min 15.368sec.