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

Spyker confirms Peking to Paris will be a V8

Spyker confirms that the Peking Paris luxury 4x4 will be a V8 not a V12 [ad#ad-1] We brought you an exclusive the other day that Spyker will drop the planned V12 version of its uber-4×4 – The Spyker Peking-Paris D12 – in favour of a supercharged V8 – The Spyker Peking-Paris D8. But it’s always nice to have confirmation from the horses mouth and today, with a financial statement from Spyker, comes a tacit admission (or actual proof, as we like to think of it!) that our story was indeed correct. Spyker talk about the Peking-Paris in their statement, but only ever refer to it as the D8, dropping all references to the D12, which is probably as much as they’re willing to reveal until the car turns up at Frankfurt in September.

Pumped up Chevy previews new Lacetti

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 07 September 2006 08:47 Chevrolet has issued this sneak preview of its forthcoming family hatch – disguised as a World Touring Car. Disregard the pram handle wing, snowplough undertray and steroidal wheelarch extensions, and you have the car to replace the current Lacetti in around 2008. The production model should use GM's next-generation Delta platform, which will also underpin the next Astra and a proposed Saab hot hatch.

Mercedes Viano Vision Diamond – the Maybach of vans

Mercedes Viano Vision Diamond Mercedes-Benz has revealed the Viano Vision Diamond at Beijing, a utilitarian Mercedes van with the interior of a Maybach. The Maybach brand didn’t do Mercedes any favours, with German glitterballs proving no match for British (oh, alright, German-ish) understated elegance in the Rolls Royce Phantom. Maybach has now been re-consigned to the dustbin of history and likely only ever to be seen as a badge to denote the glitziest model in the next S Class range.