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

Mercedes A45 AMG (2013) first pictures of new hot hatch

This is the Mercedes A45 AMG: the first time Merc’s in-house tuning arm has tried its hand at building a hot hatch. Packing 355bhp, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch paddleshift transmission, the A45 AMG will outpace a Porsche 911, but cost less than £40,000. It’s on UK sale from July 2013, but if you can’t wait that long, Merc’s baby barnstormer is appearing at the Geneva motor show from 5 March 2013.

Ferrari launches Tailor-Made program

Following an initial reveal at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September, Ferrari recently announced a new personalization program that will enable owners to create a highly individual and unique vehicle. The latest in a long line of manufacturers to begin offering highly personalized cars for individual owners, Ferrari's take is far more ambitious. The new Tailor-Made program harks back to the 1960s when each Ferrari was custom made to suit the desires of each individual owner and offers a multitude of infinitely personalizable options. The new Tailor-Made program allows owners to specify every last detail of their Ferrari – from the exterior color to the interior stitching – through an extensive list of accessories, materials and unique finishes created by the Ferrari Styling Center.

Frankfurt 2011: VW Nils EV Go-Kart Video

VW Nils revealed at Frankfurt There have been quite a few of these very small, go-kart-style urban commuter cars cropping up of late, but perhaps the Volkswagen Nils is the most promising. The most promising because if – and it’s a very big if – commuters take to the idea of a grown-up version of a soap-box Kart with an engine for getting to work, the VW Nils will possibly offer the best combination of practicality, refinement and cost. Yes, there’s the Audi Urban Concept to consider, but that will be more expensive (there’s a reason Audi makes VW 40% of its profits), so if commuters do actually find appeal in this route then the Nils is probably the front-runner.