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

Mercedes F1 Schumacher sets the pace in Melbourne

Mercedes F1 Michael Schumacher - fastest in practice in Australia Michael Schumacher showed some of the promise for Mercedes 2012 F1 in Melbourne, setting the quickest time in damp Friday practice. With the first F1 Grand Prix of the 2012-2013 season taking place this Sunday at Melbourne’s Albert Park, we thought we’d look in at Friday’s practice to see if there are any clues to this year’s form. To be honest, Friday practice is often more tactical than anything else so we shouldn’t read too much in to what’s gone on.

This year's Pilkington Glass Awards winners announced at RCA grad show

Last week's Royal College of Art graduation exhibition (full report coming soon) also played host to the 27th annual Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards, with four students acknowledged by the glass making company. The Best Use of Glazing award was won by Jannis Carius' Bentley project, while Alexander Ibbett picked up prize for Best Design Interpretation with his 'downloadable' car. Meanwhile Alexander Brink and Nick Dunderdale were commended in the design interpretation category.

VW Polo R-Line Style & more equipment across Polo range

Volkswagen has introduced the VW Polo R-Line Style – price from £11,740 – in the UK and added more equipment across the Polo range for 2013. We though that VW had done the R-Line thing with the launch of the Polo R-Line this time last year, but it seems the bean counters at Volkswagen have worked out there’s room for a Polo R-Line ‘Light’ in the range, so we now get the VW Polo R-Line Style. That’s because VW decided that, unlike most of the VW range where the R-Line is an add-on pack for any model, the Polo R-Line only comes with the 1.2 litre 105PS engine – albeit in 3-door or 5-door guise – so you can’t have a more butch-looking R-Line with ‘lesser’ Polos.