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

Nissan to close Michigan design studio

In a cost-cutting move, Nissan is shutting its design studio at its research-and-development complex in suburban Detroit and moving the work to its main U.S. design studio in San Diego. The design studio in Farmington Hills, Mich., opened in 2005.

Show Review: Design LA

Design LA, the automotive design conference that incorporates the Design Challenge competition, has announced its winners, during this year's LA Motor Show. Chuck Pelly, who set up Design LA last year, introduced the event and the judges for the Design Challenge: Tom Matano , Director, Academy of Art University; Imre Molner, Dean, College of Creative Studies; Steward Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Art Centre College of Design; and Bill Van Amburg, Senior Vice President, Calsart. This year's nine competition entries had a brief to deliver a 100 percent recyclable, five-year lifespan vehicle with 'accoutrements that add fun or function to represent California's unique green lifestyle.' The Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans is a Le Mans-style race car concept notable for its enclosed wheels and motorbike style forward-inclined driving position between the front wheels (which can just be made out in the translucent illustration shown here).

£127k McLaren MP4-12C tops the bill at BCA Auction

A host of luxury and performance cars went under the hammer at the BCA Blackbushe Top Car Auction this week, including a McLaren MP4-12C and a nearly-new Jaguar F-Type. BCA said, "the high-end prestige and sports car market has a strong following with buyers and we have seen lots of interest in high value vehicles during 2013, with bidders prepared to invest six-figure sums for the right vehicle." Judging by some of the prices realised, there are still bargains to be found... Please click the image above to read more about the BCA Blackbushe Top Car Auction