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

Audi A1 Quattro (2012) first official pictures

This is the Audi A1 Quattro, a 252bhp and four-wheel drive hot hatch that’s as exclusive as an R8 GT Spyder. Just 333 Audi A1 Quattros will ever be built so they’ll be a rare sight on the road – and particularly in Britain as the entire production run is left-hand drive, and Audi UK will import a tiny number only if there’s enough customer interest. So I probably can’t afford an Audi A1 Quattro, and I might never see one – what am I missing out on?

SECOND-HAND CAR MARKET REVS UP

THE SECOND-HAND car market is accelerating again, according to latest figures. A total of 1.8 million used cars were sold in the period July to September 2010 - a 4% rise on the same period in 2009, statistics from information services company Experian showed. The summer 2010 figure was 1.1% higher than the figure for the previous three months of April-June 2010.

Infiniti opens London design studio

Shiro Nakamura, Alfonso Albaisa and Simon Cox have officially opened Infiniti Design London, as Nissan's premium brand becomes fully separated. "We have a clear vision to make Infiniti a key premium brand," said Nakamura, senior VP of design to the assembled press. "Design is a clear defining force." The new studio is adjacent to Nissan Design Europe's base in the Paddington area of London, on the second floor of the protected Battleship Building that also houses Virgin's HQ.