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

RCA Citroen/Exa Double Challenge project

Second year students at the Royal College of Art in London revealed a series of projects at their interim degree show last week. Developed in collaboration with French automaker Citroen and the Exa Corporation, a leading supplier of aerodynamic software, the Double Challenge project asked students to design an ultra-compact model that could establish a unique Citroën e-vehicle aesthetic for the future, all while adhering to certain aerodynamic criteria that would not only reduce energy consumption and ensure stability at speed, but also visually communicate efficiency through its design. The project, which kicked off in October last year, was closely followed by representatives from Citroen and Exa, who examined each of the projects and chose a winner, Heikki Juvonen, at the event last week.

Toyota to end Australian manufacturing in 2017

When Holden announced that it would no longer build cars in Australia after 2017, that country’s flagging automotive industry was effectively put on notice -- Mitsubishi had stopped building cars there in 2008, and Ford says its two plants there will close in October 2016. Now Toyota has announced that it has no option but to end vehicle Australian vehicle production. Like Holden, it will close its factories there in 2017.

Land Rover Discovery facelift (2013) tweaked looks, engines and specs

While the long-wheelbase Range Rover and impressive new Range Sport hog the headlines, Land Rover has lavished a bit of TLC on its second-oldest model: the Discovery. New for this iteration are redesigned lights, a more economical engine, and a handful of extra techie options. Certainly doesn’t look like a nine-year old car, the Discovery… Strictly, this is an updated Discovery 4, which has only been on sale since 2009, but the 4 is essentially a heavily facelifted version of 2004’s Discovery 3: it retains the dual chassis unibody/body-on-frame construction responsible for the 2570kg kerb weight.