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

From 'Made in China' to 'Designed in China'

Visitors to the recent Auto China in Beijing may have noticed an impressive new Chinese sports car – called Aculeus – on one of the smaller exhibitor stands. The concept car is the latest project undertaken by CH-Auto Technology Corporation – one of a growing number of automotive R&D service companies based in China that provides support to the OEMs. The company was established in August 2003 by Lu Qun, an engineer who originally trained at Tsinghua University and later specialized in engine development testing.

Novitec Alfa Romeo 8C Spider adds boost for a sensuous 600 hp

Novitec has laid hands on the near-perfect Alfa Romeo 8C to create the 8C Spider Kompressor, a car the tuner claims is the “most powerful street-legal Alfa Romeo of all time.” Heady words, but they're nicely backed up by a supercharged version of the 4.7-liter Alfa V8 cranking out 600 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. That's up from approximately 450 hp and 346 lb-ft on a stock Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Tweaks supporting the force-fed mill include a water-to-air intercooler, custom injectors and revised fuel and ignition mapping, plus a variable stainless-steel exhaust system.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

This is the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the four-door sedan version of the latest C-segment A-Class although the Merc marketing department would rather we call it a 'four-door coupé'. Previewed by the Concept Style Coupé at the Beijing auto show earlier in 2012, the CLA will join a growing band of C-segment premium sedans including the new Audi A3. At around 4,600mm long it's over 300mm longer than the hatchback.