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

VW Pickup concept (2008): first official photos

By Chris Chilton First Official Pictures 24 September 2008 18:00 He’s designed Alfa Romeos, Audis and even a Lamborghini but now Walter de'Silva has gone all humanitarian and designed a pick-up.  VW’s first small flatbed since the Mk1 Golf-based Caddy will take on trucks like the Toyota Hilux and Mitusbishi L200 when it goes on sale late in 2009. It is, but not for long. This thinly veiled concept, called simply Pickup Concept, has been designed as a search and rescue vehicle for coastguards but essentially this is what badge-conscious UK builders will be driving in 2009. The new Volkswagen corporate face with its monobrow top grille and wide mouth is likely to be carried over mostly unchanged to the cars that will roll off the South African production line, as will the surprisingly stylish interior which features hooded instruments and Audi TT-style air vents. Mechanical details are sketchy but Volkswagen claims that engines will be common-rail diesels which rules out the old-tech 2.5 five pot that powers many of VW’s current commercials.

Northumbria University degree show 2009

Newcastle and cars: for many, that phrase brings to mind the 1971 British cult gangster movie ‘Get Carter', starring Michael Caine. The city isn't obviously associated with cars and the Trinity Centre car park famously used in the movie is about to be demolished as part of major regeneration work that the city has seen over the last 15 years. Northumbria University's magnificent new School of Design, which opened just two years ago, is a typical example of the exciting architecture now emerging in this city and CDN decided to pay a visit to catch up with this fast-developing UK design school.

Chrysler 300C facelift

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 21 February 2008 09:41 The Chrysler 300C is one of those rare ‘unfaceliftable’ cars, you might think. But that hasn’t stopped them having a fiddle with this striking saloon - and this is the first glimpse of the 2008-edition model.The gangster-special 300C gets a modestly refreshed exterior and cabin improvements across the range, and you can now buy the diesel model in sporty SRT-Design spec (pictured here). All models get a new rear fascia and rear light clusters, while saloons boast a new bootlid with integrated spoiler and high-mounted brake light.