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

Kia Cross GT SUV Concept teased ahead of Chicago debut

A new Kia Concept for a larger CUV/SUV – the Kia Cross GT – is being teased ahead of a reveal at the Chicago Auto Show. Kia may have made big strides in the last few years – along with sister company, Hyundai – but there’s no sense they’re resting on their laurels despite declaring 2013 the year when brand perception is key rather than huge sales growth. We already know that the Kia pro_cee’d GT and the five-door Cee’d GT, both the with a 200bhp petrol turbo – are heading for the Geneva Motor Show in March and will sit alongside the the Kia Urban Concept, which appears to be Kia’s take on the Nissan Juke.

Hyundai puts Michel Nandan in charge of WRC effort

Hyundai has appointed former Peugeot WRC technical director Michel Nandan to head up their assault on WRC. As Hyundai matures in to a credible mainstream force, improving brand perception is crucial to its long-term goals and 2012 is all about improving Hyundai’s brand experience and perceptions of the brand. A part of that focus is to take Hyundai back in to WRC rallying with a much modified i20, where Hyundai are hoping for a better experience than they had when they went rallying a decade ago – which should be a given considering the big strides Hyundai has made in its cars in the last few years.

Skoda Octavia (2013): first official pictures

This is the new 2013 Skoda Octavia. For its third generation, the Octavia gets its cleanest, most efficient engines yet and the full gamut of tech upgrades available on the new Mk7 Golf - all wrapped up in a more sober, Czech-style package. The new Octavia is also lighter than the old car and, with the arrival of the mid-sized Rapid, has grown from family hatch proportions to fight the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia.