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

Classic car prices on the up: Jaguar D-type sells for £3 million

Classic car prices seem to be ever-rising, with historic models becoming an investment to rival buying property or gambling on the stock market. The inaugural RM Auctions Paris sale this week was a case in point, and resulted in nearly £15 million’s worth of the world’s rarest and most exotic cars going under the hammer. Four cars alone went for in excess of £1 million, and a Jaguar D-type sold for three times that amount.

Renault Initiale Paris stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

It may seem like a strange idea for Renault to launch its Initiale Paris premium sub-brand at a German motor show, but it could turn out to be quite an astute move. The French brand is hoping to take on the Germans with Initiale Paris, so showcasing this rather wonderful concept in Frankfurt is a clear signal of intent. Renault says this Initiale Paris concept previews the next generation Espace, but we can't help but see a massive dollop of Renault Avantime when we take a wander around the car.

The Mitsubishi Evo is dead

As Mitsubishi shifts its global lineup toward utility vehicles and electrified cars, it will pull the plug on the Lancer Evolution at the end of the nameplate's current generation. “Mitsubishi Motors does not have any plans to design a successor with the current concept, as a high-performance four-wheel drive gasoline-powered sedan,” spokeswoman Namie Koketsu said, describing the car as having “icon” status. “Mitsubishi Motors will explore the possibilities of high-performance models that incorporate electric vehicle technology.” Dropping the Evo was foreshadowed last fall when President Osamu Masuko unveiled a new mid-term business plan that would deprioritize in-house sedans and explore sourcing them through joint projects with the Renault-Nissan Alliance.