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

McLaren P1 production starts in Woking

McLaren P1 production starts in Woking The Geneva Motor Show in March saw the arrival of the first production version of the new McLaren P1 (and its arch-rival, the LaFerrari). But it’s taken until now – seven months later – for McLaren to finish final testing of the P1 before pressing the button on their clinical assembly line to start customer P1s rolling out. In between the reveal at Geneva and production starting, McLaren have been having a bash at the Nurburgring (with mixed results) and doing some final hot weather testing on the P1, but now – apart from a few inevitable tweaks once the P1 gets out in to the real world – the P1 is ready for its customers.

Mini Beachcomber Concept at Detroit motor show 2010

This funky beach-biased concept car has just appeared at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January. Called the Mini Beachcomber Concept, this flight-of-fancy Moke-inspired show car gives us our first glimpse of how Mini's production-spec 4x4 crossover will look at launch - we'll see the real car at the Geneva motor show in March 2010 ahead of an autumn UK launch. This four-seater, four-wheel-drive machine has been designed without doors or a conventional roof, so that its occupants are not cut off from the outside world.

AUCTION GOES BANANAS FOR CLASSIC VW

A VINTAGE 1950s Volkswagen Beetle owned by a pensioner will go under the hammer at an auction later this month. The classic car, which has picked up a number of awards, is expected to fetch around £9,000 when it appears alongside a selection of rare art and antiques in the McTear's Collectables sale in Glasgow on September 29. The 1953 Beetle, which is a 1200 Deluxe model, has been in the hands of 72-year-old Willie Black since 1966, the same year that VW gave it the Best Beetle in Britain accolade.