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

Long Distance Tracking Effort Locates Stolen Motorcycle

WHEN your pride and joy is stolen you always hope you’ll see it again. Tracking services naturally boost the chances of recovery, but one lucky bike owner has Bike Trac and Interpol to thank for the return of their prized possession after a particularly lengthy search. Taken on a Monday evening from South London, the £12,000 Ducati 899 Panigale was quickly confirmed as stolen thanks to the equipped Bike Trac unit communicating with its owner and the firm’s operating centre.

Ford design chief J Mays retires, replaced by Moray Callum

J Mays, Ford Motor Co.'s global design chief and one of the last senior executives remaining from the Jacques Nasser era, is retiring from the company along with two other veteran senior executives. Moray Callum, 58, design director for Ford in North America, will replace Mays, 59, the automaker said in a statement today. Also retiring after long Ford careers are Jim Tetreault, 57, vice president of North American manufacturing, and Martin Mulloy, vice president of labor relations.

High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.