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

Citroen Cactus concept car (2013): the first bubble-wrap, bump-free car

French car firm Citroen has enjoyed some success with its range of upmarket DS models – but now it’s turning its attention to the bread-and-butter C-line cars. And the new 2013 Citroen Cactus concept car is the first look at what’s in store for the mainstream Citroen car range. The Citroen Cactus immediately stands out from the crowd of same-again European crossovers because of its novel Airbump system: think of protective bubble-wrap on the doors and bumpers to protect them from scrapes and dings in car parks and you’re not far from the truth.

Smart ForTwo

First launched in 1998 as the MCC Smart City Coupe, the ForTwo has been redeveloped as it moves towards the North American market. Length has increased from 2.5m to just under 2.7m - for greater crash protection and more trunk space, which now stands at 340 liters when packed to the roof. Regulations have also seen the IP straightened out, though the prominent air vents remain.

CPP buys Zagato

Ferrari 550 GTZ - built by CPP In a move that seems to have received no coverage whatsoever, our favourite specialist car putter-together – CPP (Coventry Prototype Panels as was) – has quietly bought up Zagato. For those of you who are ‘Vlad Watchers’ this may come as no surprise. It seems that Vladimir Antonov is on a quest to buy up everything interesting there is to buy in the specialist car world (and Portsmouth FC too – no accounting for taste!), which includes funding CPP and its recent acquisitions.