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

Swansea Metropolitan University degree show 2009

Graduates from Swansea Metropolitan University, based on the South Wales coast, exhibited their final year BA and BSc Automotive Design projects at the National Waterfront Museum recently. A relative newcomer to automotive and transport design - this being only the second BA graduate cohort to graduate - the three-year course at Swansea Metropolitan yields a high standard of work, which has received positive industry support in recent years. With projects ranging from the slightly avant-garde to high-quality next generation or niche vehicles, the students were encouraged to select a philosophical direction that they were passionate about yet also suited their desired future career aspirations.

Toyota Avalon [w/gallery]

Toyota has revealed more details and pictures of its Avalon sedan, first seen at last year's New York auto show. The Avalon, designed at the carmaker's Calty design studio, offers a glimpse of Toyota's new emphasis on design and to help reposition its flagship sedan within the premium mid-size segment. The height has been reduced by 25 mm while the overhangs have been reduced by 15 mm at the front and 45 mm at the rear.

Winners and Losers: Porsche sales pop in April

Porsche sales spiked 82 percent in April and are up 46 percent for the year, parking the luxury automaker among the top five winners so far for 2011. The redesigned Cayenne made the biggest contribution, with sales up an eye-popping 384 percent from last April and 141 percent for this year. Porsche counted 1,578 copies of the Cayenne sold in April, versus 326 the year before.