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

McLaren 50 12C & 12C Spider celebrate McLaren’s 50th anniversary

McLaren say they will be building a maximum of 50 each of the 50 12C Coupe and 12C Spider to mark the occasion, both of which get special features provided by McLaren Special Operations – the same McLaren division that created the 12C High Sport. That means a new front bumper which has been optimised by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for more downforce, extra carbon fibre and kevlar exterior bits, ceramic brakes, 19″ front and 20″ rear alloys, full leather, extra carbon fibre in the cabin, a heritage badge and a numbered plaque. There will be the option of three colours for the 50th anniversary 12Cs - Carbon Black, Supernova Silver and, of course, McLaren Orange – and each car will get its own silver car cover, a limited edition key in a carbon fibre box and a signed art print (sadly, there’s no sign of a tool chest or Tag Heuer watch).

Jaguar XK and XKR Special Edition launched

New Jaguar XK and XKR Special Editions launched Jaguar has decided to give the XK and XKR sales a bit of a boost with the launch of  Special Edition models as coupe and convertible. There’s nothing quite like a Special Edition model to get punters in showrooms, and with the Jaguar XK and XKR perhaps losing a bit of their glow – thanks in part to getting towards the end of their shelf life, and the arrival of the bonkers XKR-S – Jaguar has launched ‘Special Edition’ models of the XK and XKR as both coupe and convertible. The new XK and XKR Special Editions are purely cosmetic – there’s none of the extra power we’ve seen in the XKR-S – but the cosmetic tweaks are appealing.

Beattie joins Fisker as prices climb

Fisker Automotive, maker of the luxury hybrid Fisker Karma, has appointed luxury-brands executive Richard Beattie to the newly created position of chief commercial officer. Beattie will be responsible for sales, marketing and customer service for the brand. Beattie comes from a strong run as executive vice president of sales and marketing for Jaguar North America and, before that, for Jaguar Land Rover North America, positions which followed a career at Ford, where he was most recently president and CEO of Mazda’s North American operations.