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

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

McLaren P1: Middle East demand outstrips supply & new P1 photos

So the opening of McLaren Manama –  a joint venture between McLaren Automotive, Mumtalakat, and Al Ghassan Motors - at the Bahrain World Trade Centre is an opportunity to get the P1 front and centre as McLaren promotes both the new showroom and the upcoming 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix. But it won’t just be the P1 in McLaren’s new Bahrain showroom, it will also be the getting the Formula One gloss too with the MP4-25 – Jenson Button’s car in his 2010 season with McLaren – going on display to garner footfall in the new showroom. To give us a reason to report on the new showroom in Bahrain, McLaren has released more images from the photo shoot earlier this year at the Bahrain International Circuit when they were busy drumming up interest in the P1, and they’re such beautifully lit and shot images we couldn’t not publish them.

Fiat Viaggio teased ahead of Beijing debut

Fiat Viaggio Tease A new Fiat model – the Fiat Viaggio – is teased ahead of a Beijing Motor Show debut. A Dodge Dart under the skin, it will be built in China. The whole Fiat Chrysler tie-up is yielding all sorts of mongrel variations on a theme, and the Fiat Viaggio – which Fiat are teasing ahead of its Beijing Motor Show debut – is another example of new clothes for new markets.