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

Mini at the London motor show 2008

By Guy Bird and CAR reader reporter Carcare Motor Shows 23 July 2008 22:14 Mini went ‘all intellectual’ on us with a university theme to its London stand on account of its Oxford connections. It also served up some quality crumpet (more of which later)… So what’s new on Mini’s London motor show stand?The ultimate Mini – the John Cooper Works version – went on sale on press day of the London motor show, offering 208bhp, 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, a 148 mph top speed and a cool body kit. Click here for CAR's first drive of the JCW hot hatch.The £20,995 JCW hatch is the first of many planned JCW-badged Minis, with a Convertible version tipped for an unveil at the Detroit show in January 2009 and a Clubman JCW to follow in the same year with a similar price premium over existing models of about £1500.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato – 49 bite the dust

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was going to have up to a 150 production run, but Aston Martin now say they will build just 101 cars. The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is a great creation with OTT styling courtesy of Zagato. But, when all’s said and done, it’s just a V12 Vantage in pretty clothes with a few tweaks, yet it costs three times as much – a slightly eye-watering £330k.

Renault Pitches Affordable Self-Driving Technology

RENAULT is the latest company to dip its toe into the waters of self-driving car technology. Pitching its contribution as a way of combating tiredness and stress plus allowing drivers to multitask and let the car take the strain, the French firm is looking to 2020 as the year when its bold vision could become a reality. There is a catch though, as Renault’s vision of an autonomous driving future centres around the provision of ‘protected’ roads devoid of pedestrians or other hazards to make the reality of hands off driving possible.