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

Detroit Motor Show 2014 preview: all the important new cars

The Detroit Motor Show - or North American International Auto Show, to give it its full title - is one of the most important motor shows on the planet. Of all the American shows, Detroit is arguably the best, not least because it takes place right at the start of the year, kick starting the motor show calendar. This year's event takes place at the COBO Center, Detroit, Michigan,13-26 January 2014.

Lexus IS 2011: the Estate returns – but Hybrid only

The Lexus IS SportCross - the 1st generation Lexus IS Estate The Lexus IS Range is Toyota’s answer to BMW’s 3 Series and Audi’s A4. And it does a very creditable job, particularly for those drivers for whom quality of finish and lots of toys are much further up the list than driving dynamics. But despite there originally being a Lexus IS Estate – the Lexus IS SportCross – when the IS first launched in 2000, Lexus saw fit to drop that when the current IS turned up in 2005.

Renault Twin’Z Concept previews 2014 Renault Twingo

The Renault Twin’Z Concept, designed by British designer Ross Lovegrove, is an electric city car previewing the 2014 Renault Twingo. The Renault Twin’Z Concept is a small, just 3623mm long, urban runaround with a small electric motor good for 67bhp and 167lb/ft of torque  and weighing in at 980kg, complete with a fairly sophisticated double wishbone suspension and relatively long wheelbase with a wheel at each corner stance. The Twin’Z is very much a concept car - designed by British designer Ross Lovegrove – and comes complete with the usual concept fripperies like electric suicide doors, cameras instead of rear view mirrors, sweeping LED lights, a solid crystal rear spoiler and big, complicated alloys.