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

Who's Where: Giles Taylor appointed Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design director

Giles Taylor has been appointed Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design director, with effect from 1 July 2012. He previously held the position of head of exterior design. Taylor will report directly to senior vice president BMW Group design, Adrian van Hooydonk and will replace Ian Cameron who retires from his position to become a brand ambassador until his retirement in April 2013.

Petrol prices reach three-year low

PETROL PRICES are at a three-year low, with Yorkshire and Humberside remaining the cheapest area, according to figures from the AA. But the good news for drivers is offset by a real-terms dip in earnings which has pushed wages back to 2002 levels adjusting for inflation, the AA added. Petrol forecourt prices across the UK averaged 129.46p a litre in mid March compared to 129.63p in mid February.

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.