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

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible confirmed

Volkswagen will reveal the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The new VW Beetle is only just starting to make an appearance on UK roads but already it’s about to be overshadowed by its flasher sibling – the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible. Launching at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, the new Beetle Convertible will be loosely based on the VW E-Bugster Cabriolet Concept we saw at the Beijing Show in the Spring.

Hyundai heading for more dual clutch gearboxes instead of CVT

Hyundai are planning to offer more dual clutch gearboxes in their cars rather than going the CVT route. There’s an argument that somehow CVT gearboxes offer better fuel economy than an automated dual clutch ‘box, even though logic says otherwise. Toyota insist on using a CVT ‘box on their hybrid cars when they’d feel much better to drive with an auto or dual clutch ‘box.

Nissan opens new design studio in Beijing

Delayed by the deadly earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year, Nissan Motor Co.'s new design center in Beijing finally received a proper opening this week, when global design chief Shiro Nakamura showed off the studio as a new source of ideas for Nissan and Infiniti. Nissan Design China, as the Beijing-based center is known, "is not a studio to just generate ideas for China," Nakamura said in an interview with Car Design News. It's equipped to handle designs of show cars and production cars for both Nissan and Infiniti brands, aimed at customers in China, as well as around the world.