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

First Sight: Mercedes-AMG GT

“If I was to buy any sports car that wasn't a Mercedes, it'd be a Porsche 911,” says Mercedes' head of design, Gorden Wagener. “But when you see the two cars together, we think ours has the edge.” He's talking about the new Mercedes-AMG GT, a front-mid engined, two-seater sports car that's unashamedly aimed at higher-end 911s, and we've come to see it at Mercedes' Sindelfingen studio.  The GT replaces the larger SLS, and is seen by Wagener as the best example yet of his 'sensual purity' design philosophy: “The SLS is very much [he gestures] line, line with a surface in between. With the GT we started with the surface and worked to refine and reduce the number of lines.” Elements of the SLS's platform have been carried over, so the GT measures the same 1,939mm wide.

Skoda Octavia Hatch GreenLine arrives offering 88.3mpg – price from £20,150

Skoda Octavia Hatch GreenLine (pictured) promises 88.3mpg Even though official economy figures from car makers are, at best, disingenuous, they still serve, to a degree, and an indicator of a car’s relative economy. So the arrival of the Skoda Octavia Hatch GreenLine in Skoda’s UK showrooms with official economy figures of 88.3 mpg and emissions of just 85g/km, makes it an appealing offering for cost conscious private and fleet buyers. The Octavia Greenline Hatch  looks pretty much the same as any other Octavia, so you won’t be driving a car that shouts ‘I’m a cheapskate’, but you will get extra eco stuff like low rolling resistance tyres on 16″ Velorum alloys to give you the best chance of getting close to the official economy figures.

Aston Martin Heritage Showroom will flog you a nice classic Aston

Now you can buy your Classic Aston Martin at Aston’s new Heritage Showroom (pictured) The world is full of Classic Car Dealers, but now, for the first time, you’ll be able to buy a classic Aston Martin from the people who made it in the first place. Aston Martin has gone back to its spiritual home to create a classic car showroom at Newport Pagnell, and has spent the last two years developing the old Olympia building to house their Classic Car offerings. The Olympia building, itself 100 years old and once an integral part of AML’s Newport Pagnell operations, has been fully refurbished and decorated in period style with not just lots of glorious classic Astons (and Lagondas) but displays of memorabilia from the factory heritage collection.