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

2014 World Car Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist of finalists for the 2014 World Car Awards (WCAs) has been announced, revealing the cars that will compete for the 2014 World Car of the Year, as well as the World Luxury Car, the World Performance Car, the World Green Car and the World Car Design 2014 awards. MSN Cars’ very own Peter Burgess is amongst the 69 global motoring journalists who have whittled down the contenders in each of the categories – there are supposed to be 10 of each, but some tied results at this stage mean some of the awards have slightly more finalists this year. The next stage reduces the field down to three cars vying for each award.

Lexus LFA (w/ Gallery)

Lexus presented the LFA at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show last week, the culmination of four years and two show cars. The new front-mid engined supercar is skinned in carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), which, aside from being both lightweight and strong, also enabled greater freedom to create shapes, curves and edges. Seen in the flesh, however, the white bodycolor did the LFA few favors, though this choice may have more to do with slighting Acura - the last NSX, the Type-R, was also white with a red and black interior.

Third make-up-inspired Citroen DS3 revealed

THERE'S not a lot that the two disciplines of circuit racing and applying make-up have in common, but Citroen and Benefit decided to change all that ahead of this weekend's Silverstone Grand Prix. The cheeky French car brand has introduced the third in its line-up of DS3 special edition models built using inspiration from the famous cosmetics label. This new DS3 DSign Noire, inspired by a new eyeliner from Benefit, took part in a unique 'Fast & Fabulous' race against its two designer siblings at the home of British Formula One, where racers and beauty bloggers had to complete a lap of the track in the DSign Noire, the DSign by Benefit and the Dstyle by Benefit.