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

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Hexatech F1-spec driving simulator goes on sale

If you’re serious about your gaming – and we mean very serious indeed – then Dutch simulator firm Cruden has just unveiled the last word in driving simulators. The Hexatech is a six-strut hydraulic set-up that’s normally only sold to F1, WRC and NASCAR teams. But it has now decided to unleash it on the public – you just need to find the £120,000 asking price.

Mitsubishi Prototype-S sketches

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 28 January 2008 10:13 Fancy a cut-price Mondeo? Mitsubishi is readying a hatchback version of its Lancer family car for launch later this year – and will drop a few clues with this Prototype-S at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. Called Lancer Sportback, the production car will be a classic five-door, although you can bank on removing the wilder excesses of the side sills, aggressive snout spoiler and bonnet air vents on bread-and-butter models.