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

All-new MINI dashboard goes mainstream (spy photo)

The all-new MINI – the third generation of the new MINI – is due later in 2013 and will be getting a more mainstream dashboard. Whatever you may think of the ‘new’ MINI – the one BMW make – it’s been a huge success. And it’s been a huge success because it’s managed to evoke the spirit of the original Issigonis Mini without being a pastiche.

Aston Martin make Nissan’s Andy Palmer their new CEO

Andy Palmer (pictured) is taking the reins at Aston Martin Lagonda Aston Martin has effectively been without a boss since Ulrich Bez stepped down from the role last year, but that changes with the announcement that Andrew Palmer – until now, Chief Planning Officer of Nissan – is to step in to the role. There’s no specific start date for Andy Palmer at Aston, but Nissan has announced that Philippe Klein will take up Palmer’s role at Nissan on 15 September, so it shouldn’t be long before Palmer holds the reins at Aston Martin. But what exactly has persuaded Andy Palmer to jump from a big corporate behemoth like Nissan to a struggling luxury car maker with owners who either want to tug the operating strings (the Kuwaitis) or are looking for a quick return (Investindustrial)?

December debut for Bentley GT3 racer

THE CONTINENTAL GT3 racing car will make its competitive debut at December’s Gulf 12 Hours race in Abu Dhabi, it has been confirmed. The 600bhp, twin-turbo V8 racer is the first Bentley model to hit the race track since 2003, when the Crewe-based outfit won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This time Bentley will, officially at least, only use the two-part endurance race as a test to gauge the performance of the Continental GT3 ahead of a full entry into the 2014 FIA Blancpain GT3 racing championship.