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

BMW 3-series convertible (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 24 October 2006 10:03 BMW 3-series convertible: the lowdown Here's the car BMW said it wouldn't develop: a 3-series convertible with a folding hard-top. Although condemned by the R&D team for being too heavy, raising the centre of gravity and sapping dynamic ability, BMW has been forced to listen to the market and introduce a glass and steel-roofed cabrio. With a large boot and easy access for luggage, the 3-series convertible promises to be practical, and the extra glass compared with a fabric cabrio should make it airy too.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS leaks

The Porsche GT2 RS leaks from a private viewing in Leipzig Not literally, you understand, but the details of the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS have found there way on to the interweb from that font of high-end help – Teamspeed. The 911 GT2 RS – the last of the current generation (997) 911s to surface before we get an all new 911 in 2010 – was previewed for dealers and valued clients in Leipzig. Which probably means that at least one of Teamspeed’s members were at the event, hence the phote above and some gen on what the GT2 RS has to offer.

Car production increases again

THE SOCIETY of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said UK manufacturers built 91,282 cars in August, up 16.2%, or 12,705, on the same period in 2012, leaving year-to-date volumes 3.1% ahead of 2012, at 984,545. The figures showed 20,298 cars were made for the home market this year, up 21.1%, while 70,984 were for export, up 14.8%. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "The past 12-months has been one of the most productive since late 2008." Samuel Tombs, of consultancy Capital Economics, said the CBI figures showed the manufacturing sector "continuing to go from strength to strength".