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

Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

2012 Mercedes ML 63 AMG price & options: Costs £82,995

2012 Mercedes ML 63 AMG UK price £82 The 2012 version of the range-topping Mercedes ML 63 AMG arrives in the UK at £82,995 – as long as you don’t trouble the options list. The 2012 Mercedes ML 63 AMG made its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show back in November, offering similarly bonkers performance to the last ML63 but with an impressive improvement in emissions and economy. The 2012 ML 63 gets the latest 5.5 litre twin turbo V8 that’s supplanted Mercedes’ 6.2 litre naturally aspirated lump.

Daihatsu's funky Cube rival on the way

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 29 September 2006 08:01 Daihatsu is on the verge of giving its boxy Materia supermini – which made its European debut in Paris - the green light for UK imports. If given the green light the spacious five-seater, which is already on sale in Japan, would arrive here next spring as a stand-alone topend model. The Materia is very similar to Nissan's does-it-exactly-what-it-says-on-the-tin Cube, which has been super popular with Japanese kids.