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

Porsche Boxster Spyder (2010) – UK details and prices

Porsche has released UK details for the Porsche Boxster Spyder Back in November we reported that Porsche had revealed the Porsche Boxster Spyder, a stripped down Boxster with an iconic ’Speedster’ profile. To be honest, we were surprised they didn’t go with the Speedster name (we reported back in Spetember with pictures of a Porsche Boxster with Speedster humps testing at the Nurburgring), but perhaps that was a step too far; using the Speedster tag on a lowly Boxster. But no matter, the Porsche Boxster Spyder it is with the flat six 3.4 litre engine with 310bhp and a 0-60mph of 4.6 seconds when you tick the PDK Sport Chrono Plus option.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 and DB9 Carbon for 2014 Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin will show off special new versions of the V8 Vantage and the DB9 at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March. The updates to the two model ranges are very different in character, however. The V8 Vantage N430 is a race-inspired special with more power and less weight – not to mention a somewhat shouty paint job – while the DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White models are intended to bring a little extra luxury and style to the British marque’s Grand Touring model.

Merc to revive straight six, plus 4cyl and smaller V8s

Mercedes has just signed off a new engine family which will see most full-sized Mercs in future run four-cylinders, downsized V8s and… straight sixes. A friendly Mercedes engineer recently met CAR to disclose the engine plans for future models, including the surprise disclosure that Merc plans to switch to straight sixes, like its rivals over in Munich.  It's fair to say I almost choked on my breakfast croissant when I found out the details of the next MB engine generation which has just been signed off for release in 2015. Mercedes' future four-cylinder engines Again, there will be a family of new low-cost fours, and the big-bore V8s will be replaced by a series of downsized turbocharged 4.0-litre units.