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

Ford's NA Design Director aims to shorten product lifecycles

Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Company North America Design Director, has told Automotive News he intends to shorten product lifecycles at the ailing company from an average five years to three years starting this decade. "We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes," Horbury told the industry weekly. Ford needs to ensure that buyers continue visiting showrooms as the giant automaker struggles to retain market share.

GM builds 100-millionth small-block engine

General Motors will build its 100-millionth small-block engine on Tuesday, marking a milestone for the company. Engine No. 100 million is headed for GM's historic collection.

Bugatti rolls out another ‘Legends’ Special – the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess

It’s the Bugatti Veyron Black Bess No, Bugatti hasn’t named their latest Legends limited edition car – the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Black Bess – after Dick Turpin’s horse (well, not directly anyway), but after the Bugatti Type 18 – dubbed Black Bess – which was the Bugatti Veyron of its day. Only seven Type 18s were built – between 1912 and 1914 – and just three remain, with the one dubbed Black Bess (which did get its name from Dick Turpin’s horse) on display in the Louman Museum in The Hague and complete with its 5.0 litre four-cylinder engine good for 100bhp and a top speed of 100mph. The new Black Bess Bugatti is a Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse with 1184 ‘black’ horses, a 0-62mph of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 233mph and comes with a carbon fibre body painted in black with gold highlights (and looking like a 1970s JPS F1 livery).