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

GM closes UK Advanced Design Studio

CDN has learnt that General Motors is closing its UK Advanced Design Studio as part of its ongoing restructuring program. Clay Dean, GM's executive director of advanced global design and Cadillac's brand director, arrived at the studio on 4 August to announce the closure to staff. The UK studio, which opened in 1999, was predominantly involved in the creation of Cadillac concept cars and was originally planned to be a short-term confidential operation as the smallest of GM's design studios.

Peugeot 508 (w/ Gallery)

The new Peugeot 508, previewed by the 5byPeugeot Geneva show car earlier this year, is the replacement for the D-segment 407 and the larger E-segment 607. The 508 retains many of the design themes of the concept: a more restrained grille outline, diving headlamp graphic and embossed lion emblem surface convey a similar DRG. The sedan's three-light DLO is also intact as is the trunk lid's unusually high-set trim highlight, although the taillamps have lost their body color inserts.

McLaren 12C Can-Am at Pebble Beach

A (currently) one-off McLaren MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Can-Am – is heading for Pebble Beach, previewing a track-day MP4-12C. The McLaren MP4-12C is a one-off track-focused MP4-12C, developed by the same McLaren GT team which developed the MP4-12C GT3 race car, and its heading for Pebble Beach this month to tempt US track-day enthusiasts. Developed without the constraints of a racing series, the 12C Can-Am is based on the GT3 car and adds a new aerodynamic package – which improves downforce by 30 per cent – with a carbon fibre splitter with little winglets atop, a huge rear tray of a spoiler and a carbon fibre diffuser.