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

Michelin design contest inspires young minds

The College for Creative Studies in Detroit held its 24th Michelin Design challenge, in which Michelin sponsors a design and development project for one of CCS' transportation design classes. The competition works like this: CCS and Michelin get together to develop a theme, then CCS picks which transportation design class will work on the project. The idea, Michelin says, is to celebrate and promote the kind of vehicle design that highlights original thinking and innovation.

Volkswagen iBeetle takes iPhone integration to another level

When we’re all walking round with Smartphones that possess the sort of computing power only a major desktop could offer just a few years ago, it makes sense for car makers to tap in to that power to control functionality and Infotainment in their cars. Which is why Volkswagen has rolled out the iBeetle at this week’s Shanghai Motor Show with a level of integration with Smartphones from Apple, and that previews a roll-out of Apple integration from VW, offering far more functionality and control than we’ve seen before. Or at least that’s the VW claim.

Mercedes C Class Executive SE launched

The Mercedes C Class Executive SE - available in the UK from November Having already played this card with the E Class – the E-Class Executive SE – Mercedes has decided to treat buyers to a limited edition model of the C Class and has announced that the Mercedes C Class Executive SE will be available in the UK from November, powered by the manual C180 KOMPRESSOR BlueEFFICIENCY engine and available as a saloon or estate. As with all limited editions there’s nothing to get too excited about unless you were already up for the extras the limited edition is throwing in to the pot. In the case of the Executive SE these include COMAND, the grill off the Sport model, 16” ‘Pristix’ alloys and a bit of extra chrome on the boot lid and exhaust.