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

Stop-Start Freelander on the way

Land Rover has announced that it will be introducing stop-start technology on its Freelander range from May 2009, thus saving around 8% on the Co2 emissions, and taking the Freelander down a group on VED, which should help move a few more Freelanders off forecourts next year. The technology for the stop-start was developed in-house, with a new engine management system coming from Bosch and an uprated starter from Denso. The stop-start option will be available on the 2.2 TD4, which accounts for nearly half of UK sales.

Ford Escape (2011) - first pictures of the new Kuga

Ford is bringing its One Ford mantra to bear in the SUV sector for the first time - so this new Escape will in turn mutate into the next Ford Kuga for Europe. We're expecting the new Kuga in late 2012, with UK sales slated for spring 2013. Ford Escape: a mix of Vertrek and Kuga The new Escape 4x4 has heavy overtones of the Vertrek concept car, yet Europeans will be familiar with the Kuga motifs at play.

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.