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

Vauxhall Astra GTC gets new 1.6 litre ‘Whisper’ diesel – price from £22,260

The Vauxhall Astra GTC gets the new 1.6 litre CDTi Just like all major motor manufacturers, Vauxhall are busy improving their engine range with new, more efficient and more powerful lumps. One of Vauxhall’s major engine projects has been to get the old 1.7 litre CDTi out of its cars and replace it with their new ‘Whisper’ 1.6 litre CDTi. The first Vauxhall to get the new 1.6 CDTi was the Zafira Tourer in early 2013, and the latest is the Astra GTC.

Volkswagen Beetle Dune 'could be built'

IF YOU like your Beetles with a little more ‘dune buggy’ about them, Volkswagen’s latest concept is right up your street. And what’s more, it really could be right up your street if public reaction to the so-called Beetle Dune is strong enough. With a body raised by 50mm, 19-inch wheels and a special rear-mounted luggage rack reminiscent of early Beetles, the Dune plays on its dual heritage strands of its earliest predecessor and the fully off-road biased dune buggies built on Beetle chassis.

Mazda MX-5 with 270hp launched by BBR

The MX-5 has always lacked one thing: power. But now, British tuner BBR is launching a turbocharged MX-5 that produces 270hp and is capable of reaching 60mph in less than 5 seconds. Based on a 2013 Mazda MX-5 2.0-litre Sport Tech Roadster Coupe, the BBR GT270 will reach 60mph in 4.9 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 150mph.