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

Skoda confirms prices for two new models

SKODA has announced prices for its two latest models; the Rapid Spaceback and the facelifted Yeti. The Spaceback, which is 180mm shorter and smaller of boot than the ‘notchback’ Rapid, is designed to be the brand’s long-awaited direct rival to the likes of the Ford Focus and Kia Cee’d. It will start from £14,340 on the road for the 1.2 TSI petrol S model with 85bhp.

Man-made Modern Luxury Materials in Cars

Luxury, within the context of a car interior, has been closely related to the use of wood and leather for over a century. These natural materials have a familiar organic, tactile quality that are intrinsically desirable attributes for most people and, in today's mass manufactured plastic world, they also assume a luxury or premium quality. Throughout the last century, metal, leather and wood have also been progressively supplanted by bakelite, vinyl and then polymer-based plastic materials in car interiors as well.

General Motors draws on global designers for the new Chevrolet Corvette

For the first time, General Motors studios across the world have submitted design studies for the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette. Late last year, Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design, invited GM's 10 styling studios to submit design proposals. Some "were absolutely phenomenal," Welburn said.