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

LA Motor Show: Subaru WRX gets downsized engine

SUBARU has revealed a production-ready version of the WRX concept first seen earlier this year. The latest edition of the performance saloon may not be coming to the UK at all, but Subaru has finally given the 268bhp machine the go-ahead for Japan and North America. A new 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ engine carries on the brand’s tradition, bringing with it the same low centre of gravity as the old 2.5-litre unit but with greater environmental credentials.

Gordon Murray’s MOTIV.e debuts in Tokyo

Gordon Murray, the famous McLaren Formula One and McLaren F1 road car designer, and bike-builder Yamaha unveiled the MOTIV.e at the Tokyo Motor Show. The MOTIV is a hot take on a city car in the vein of the Smart ForTwo and Aston Martin Cygnet. Multiple versions of the MOTIV could be produced, with both electric and gas power.

London Taxi maker Manganese Bronze bought by China’s Geely

China automotive giant Geely has bought Manganese Bronze – makers of the iconic London Black Cab – in an £11.04 million deal. The iconic London Black Cab has been an accident waiting to happen for years, as under investment in making the Black Cab fit for the 21st century saw competition – like the Mercedes Vito Taxi and the Nissan NV200 Cab – start to offer serious competition to the taxi that identifies London. Despite an investment by China’s Geely – when Geely bought 20 per cent of Manganese Bronze, makers of the Black Cab – and the bulk of the Black Cab being produced in China and bolted together in the Midlands, the final nail in the coffin for Manganese Bronze was the recall of 400 TX4 cabs over a steering fault.