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

VW will build small run of XL1 plug-in hybrid

Volkswagen will begin production of its XL1 plug-in hybrid in two years. "We want to go into series production with this car starting in 2013," VW chairman Ferdinand Piech told Automotive News Europe on Tuesday at an event in Doha, Qatar, ahead of the 2011 Qatar auto show where VW unveiled an XL1 prototype. (a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130221/GENEVA/130229972">Read the latest update here announcing the XL1 hybrid's Geneva Auto Show debut).

Who's Where: Frank Stephenson appointed Director of Design for Alfa Romeo

Frank Stephenson began his new position as Director of Design at Alfa Romeo today, CDN can reveal. Stephenson left his role as Head of the Fiat, Lancia and Commercial Vehicle Styling Center last month and is now effectively filling a role that has been unoccupied since Wolfgang Egger left to become head of Audi's Style Center. Since Lorenzo Ramaciotti has been recently appointed to a newly created position as Cheif of Design at Fiat, Stephenson's previous position is now vacant.

Mercedes Concept Style Coupe – Mercedes CLC to be – leaks out

Mercedes Concept Style Coupe leaks out early The Mercedes Concept Style Coupe – which previews the baby CLS Mercedes CLC – has leaked ahead of a Los Angeles reveal. We’re still not completely sure that the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe – which is due to be revealed at an event in Los Angeles later in April – will arrive as the Mercedes CLC, but it seems likely. What also seems likely is that it will go down a storm, especially if the photo above (leaked on a Croatian site) is the real deal – it looks stunning.