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

Subaru XV gets a price cut – down by £1300 on 1.6 litre versions

It wasn’t a bad starting point for an able mid-sized crossover – a high-riding Impreza, in all but name –  but it wasn’t the cheapest offering in the class. But now, with the Yen being a bit kinder to Japanese car makers, Subaru has decided to nudge the price a bit lower to start the XV range off below £20k for the first time. The price drop for the XV only applies to the 1.6 litre petrol versions, but you can now get the entry-level XV 1.6i S for a more affordable £19,995 rising to £23,415 for the XV 1.6i SE with the Lineartronic gearbox, reductions across the range of £1300.

BMW 730Ld takes ‘Top Chauffeur Car’ title from Jaguar XJ

BMW 730Ld Chauffeur and Professional Driver Car of the Year 2011 Last year was very much the year of the Jaguar XJ, with awards and praise oozing from every publication. But a year is a long time in the car world, and the XJ – winner of the Chauffeur Car of the Year in 2010-  has been beaten in to third place in this year’s Chauffeur Car of the Year by the BMW 730Ld. Professional Driver Magazine awards annual gongs for the best ‘working’ cars, judged by an invited panel of chauffeurs, motoring journalists and private hire operators who drive and judge the contenders during a one-day judging event.

Nissan to build $2 billion plant in Mexico

Nissan Motor Co. will build a $2 billion auto assembly plant in Mexico, its third in that country, as it works to outgun rival Honda Motor Co. The plant, in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will have initial capacity to build 175,000 light vehicles annually for the United States, Mexico and Latin America, with plans to expand.