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

Mercedes try to 'bring the noise' back to F1

MERCEDES trialled a device aimed at amplifying and improving the much-maligned sound made by the 2014 marque Formula One cars on the second day of testing in Barcelona. With new V6 engines forming part of an overhaul in F1 regulations, widespread criticism of the dulcet tones has continued from the opening race of the season in Australia. With F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone amongst those to question the enjoyment of listening to the new engines, the teams decided to look into ways of making it a more pleasurable experience.

New Vauxhall VXR8 GTS gets 576bhp & costs £54,999

The new Vauxhall VXR8 GTS gets 576bhp If you’re going to make your most potent saloon car more powerful, you could just tweak the engine management a bit to add a few more horses. But Vauxhall have gone a bit further with the latest VXR8 GTS – it gets a 6.2 litre V8 from the Camaro ZL1, a whole 150bhp and 140lb/ft of torque than the old VXR8. Vauxhall has based the GTS on Holden’s new GEN-F GTS – Australia’s maddest production Holden – and the increase in power comes courtesy of a supercharger, new exhaust system.

Jaguar XK facelift (2011) first official pictures

Jaguar has announced 2012 revisions to the XK coupe and convertible - chiefly concerned with bringing it into line with the XKR-S. 2012 Jaguar XK: the lowdown Changes on the XK are more subtle than the refreshed 2011 Jaguar XF, and share some elements with the range-topping XKR-S which was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Up front, the XK has completely new headlights.