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

Evolution of the 3: BMW begins sales of sixth-generation sedan

BMW staged the U.S. launch of the sixth generation of the stalwart 3-series at the Detroit auto show this week, which makes this as good a time as any to take a look back at the car that other sports sedans aspire to be. The small sedan hit the scene in 1975, just three years after the 5-series, as a successor to the BMW 1600, the 1600ti and the 2002.

Lexus NX compact SUV production starts – first UK deliveries October 2014

The first Lexus NX rolls off the production line We’re not entirely sure the new Lexus NX – revealed in production guise at the Beijing Motor Show in April - will be one of the most driver-focused compact SUVs, but it is a car that should see Lexus sales rise considerably. And the NX is now starting to roll off the production line at Lexus’s Miyata plant in Japan, and Lexus say they already have 6,500 orders for the NX in Japan, and a more modest 350 in the UK. The big seller in the UK – in the absence of a diesel NX – will be the NX 300h with its hybrid setup of a 2.5 litre petrol engine, electric motor and CVT gearbox, but despite promises of good economy (55.4mpg) the real world economy is likely to be significantly less, although its high headline economy will help BIK rates for business buyers.

SPD Workshop with Chris Bangle

Famed designer Chris Bangle will be hosting a four-day workshop at the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) in Milan, Italy this summer, following on from last year's successful workshop series. The university has announced that it will be holding the workshops from 9 July to 15 July, revolving around a theme entitled: 'An Endeavor in Discontinuity: Exterior Car Design of the Future'. The workshop is billed as a unique design experience, which will allow participants from all over the world to work in close contact with one of the most innovative designers of the current scene.