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

AutoStyle 2010

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure to attend AutoStyle 2010's design competition; a wonderfully familial, small-scale event that takes place in the picturesque village of San Benedetto Po, in northern Italy. Hosted by Berman, an aftermarket supplier of bespoke components to many OEMs, the event is a two-day gathering where many of the industry's designers, buyers and suppliers attend a conference to hear about the trends as perceived by automakers and to see the newest ‘special versions' created by budding designers. The 7th edition of the AutoStyle design competition showcased a wide array of aftermarket designs for the Ferrari California, Nissan Micra, Ford Focus, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Citroen DS Highrider concept.

New Mercedes V-Class MPV revealed

The new Mercedes V-Class MPV (pictured) offers a more car-like experience The new Mercedes V-Class is the replacement for the Mercedes Viano, and Mercedes hope potential buyers will view it as a luxury MPV with proper Mercedes passenger car appeal but with room for up to eight passengers. It seems likely Mercedes are also hoping the new V-Class will attract former buyers of the now defunct R-Class, families who’ve outgrown a family car and business users too. If you can get over looks that still say ‘Van with Windows’ despite a complete makeover from the Viano (although the Viano Vision Diamond offered a very upmarket look and fittings), Mercedes should be in with a fighting chance of hitting the mark with the new V-Class.

MINI Countryman JCW teased – heading for Geneva 2012

MINI Countryman JCW teased MINI has started the tease for the most powerful Countryman – the MINI Countryman JCW – which will debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It’s not exactly a surprise that the MINI Countryman JCW is on the way. After all, MINI will never knowingly miss a niche sale, so producing a John Cooper Works version of the MINI SUV was always going to be highly likely.