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

Rolls-Royce gets Personal at 2010 Paris show

Cars like the Fiat 500 and Mini may be available with pick ’n mix customisation options, but those are mere bolt-on Mr Potatohead additions compared to the kaleidoscopic wizardry available to Roller owners. Showcasing its ‘personalization programme’ (personalization with a ‘z’ for the Americans, programme with an ‘mme’ for us stick-in-the-muds) at the 2010 Paris motor show, Rolls-Royce has served up five bespoke examples of its current range. Heavens, no.

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Mercedes SLS AMG: David Coulthard drives the Isle of Man +video

The Mercedes SLS AMG attacks the Isle of Man in the capable hands of DC UK readers and those outside the UK who play silly games to get their hands on the world’s second favourite motoring show – Fifth Gear – may well have seen Tiff Needell pop off to the Isle of Man to borrow a Mercedes SLS AMG David Coulthard was playing with. What David was doing in the Manx Mountains was driving the SLS AMG as fast as he could on the Isle of Man’s unrestricted roads (which were also shut for his convenience) to produce what the film makers are calling ‘The Fastest 3D film ever shot on Land”. The short film – ‘Manx Meister’ – has DC blatting across the top of the IOM at speeds in excess of 160mph.