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

College Exhibition: Royal College of Art - GE Plasticon project

Postgraduate students at London's Royal College of Art recently presented the results of a multi-disciplinary design project in collaboration with GE Plastics. As part of the 'PLASTicon' project, 17 RCA first year MA students researched, designed and built models of concept vehicles aimed at the needs of different markets - from SUV owners to Gen-Y consumers - utilising the capabilities of plastics. Beginning in December, the students from the Vehicle Design course as well as from Textiles, were split into six teams tasked with conducting research into specific scenarios, including emerging generations and emerging markets to meet specific challenges of today and tomorrow.

Inside the Mini compound

Visitors surrender their passports upon entering Mini headquarters in Germany. It's for security reasons mainly, and obviously the passports are returned on the way out. But the symbolism is obvious: Mini is a world a way from parent BMW.

Porsche 911 Safari SUV Crossover heading for Beijing Motor Show

Porsche 911 Safari SUV Crossover heading for Beijing Motor Show Porsche anoraks bemoaned the arrival of the Porsche Cayenne SUV as a sacrilege, but its overwhelming success has allowed Porsche to garner huge profits and plough a chunk of those in to keeping the iconic 911 relevant, appealing and cutting-edge. It’s also allowed Porsche to take the Audi Q5 and turn it in to what appears to be a hugely capable and appealing baby Cayenne in the guise of the new Porsche Macan, but it seems Porsche is planning another SUV step with a model that really does seem a  step too far – a Porsche 911 SUV. Auto Bild’s Motor Revue is reporting that a Porsche 911 Safarai is heading for the Beijing Motor Show in April 2014 sporting bigger wheels and tyres and a raised suspension to deliver a 911 Crossover.