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

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2012) the Vantage S-inspired upgrade

This is Aston Martin’s new V8 Vantage, with a new gearbox, styling tweaks and chassis upgrades. You might think it looks little different than before – and that’s no bad thing – but Aston Martin claims the updates amount to ‘most comprehensive programme of enhancements’ since the 4.7-litre version of the V8 Vantage was launched in 2008. The new Aston Martin V8 Vantage will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March 2012, just in time to distract potential customers away from the new Porsche 911.  So what’s new about the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage?

First Sight: Daimler-BYD electric car design renderings leak out

Computer renderings of an electric car, being jointly developed by BYD Co., a Chinese battery and car producer that began making cars only less than a decade ago, and Daimler AG with more than a century of experience - were leaked for the second time this year. The car marks a critical juncture for the young Chinese carmaker based in the south China industrial hub of Shenzhen, just a stone's throw away from Hong Kong. It is also a key initiative in China, now the world's biggest auto market, for Daimler.

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

Further images and details of Toyota's FT-86 Open concept have been revealed ahead of its unveiling at next week's Geneva motor show. The FT-86, a rear-wheel-drive sports convertible, previews a potential future development of the GT86 sports coupe. Toyota is using the concept, which measures in at 4,240mm long, 1,775mm wide, 1,270mm high sitting on a wheelbase of 2,570mm, to gauge public reaction while carrying out engineering tests on a prototype.