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

New car sales still accelerating

NEW CAR SALES raced ahead again last month, according to official figures. A total of 72,163 new vehicles were registered in August 2014 - a 9.4% rise on August 2013 and the 30th consecutive month of growth, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Last month's figure took the year-to-date total to more than 1.53 million - a 10.1% rise on the total for the first eight months of 2013.

McLaren P1 sales will double turnover and quadruple profit in 2014 for McLaren

The McLaren P1 (pictured) boosts McLaren’s profits We’re starting to see the McLaren P1 – McLaren’s modern replacement for the iconic McLaren P1 – rolling out to lucky owners, and that will continue apace during 2014. Which means McLaren will see a big rise in its turnover and an even bigger rise in profits – up four-fold – as the £866,000 P1 replenishes McLaren’s bank account. But, although it will take a while to build, deliver and get paid for all 375 P1s, the P1 won’t be a long-term cash cow for McLaren, just a nice little booster as it starts to plan to up production to 4,500 cars a year over the next few years.

Volvo set to excite with new Concept XC Coupe

VOLVO’S new design language has been taken to the next level with the first glimpse of a concept that previews its future ‘XC’ series of cars. The Concept XC Coupe will be given its full debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January, but Volvo has released a trio of pictures as a teaser ahead of time. In each of the pictures the car is capped by a slimline roof box, which hints at its lifestyle aspirations.