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

2014 FIAT Panda Cross goes on sale in the autumn priced from £15,945

The appealing little Fiat Panda Cross goes on sale in the autumn There really isn’t a lot of choice in the car market if you want a rugged little 4×4, and the only real choice is from Fiat. So it’s a good job the new Fiat Panda Cross is such an appealing little car. Based on the Panda 4×4, the Panda Cross gets some chunky bumpers so you know it means business, big tyres so you know it can actually do of-road stuff and uncreased ground clearance and underbody protection so you don’t wreck your new Panda Cross the first time it finds a small rock.

Toyota's Akio Toyoda flies solo at media event, in change of style

It was as much a change for Akio Toyoda as it was for Toyota Motor Corp. In unveiling the company's new mid-term business plan this week, the media-shy president flew solo at a news conference without the usual safety net of being flanked by his top brass. The move was a departure for Toyoda, who -- in his two years as president -- has tended to divert technical or detailed questions to a panel of executives sharing stage with him.

Michael Mauer appointed head of design at Porsche

Porsche AG has anounced the appointment of Michael Mauer to take over as chief designer from Harm Lagaay, who will retire on July 1 after 15 years in the post. Michael Mauer, 41, studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.