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

China’s Hong Qi State Limo twice the price of RR Ghost

FAW's Hong Qi Limo - a snip at £720k It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but this week China has seen the reveal of two cars that would stretch even the finances of a Western plutocrat. The Hong Qi State Limo is a behemoth of a car designed to ferry China’s elite in safety and comfort. It was used in China’s recent 2009 ‘Review of the Troops’ to chauffeur Chairman Hu.

CAR's review of 2009: the year's best sellers

The fat lady hasn’t sung Auld Lang Syne yet, so here are the UK’s top selling cars of 2009 for the year to date. Since we’re dabbling in nostalgia, we’ve also got 1999’s greatest hits for you. So what have 10 years done to our buying habits?

Nissan 370Z Nismo vs Wingsuit – Nissan try to be Top Gear

Nissan 370Z Nismo Vs Wingsuit That was five years ago, so Nissan obviously feel enough time has passed to plagiarise Top Gear’s stunt without too much criticism, so they’ve decided to pit a man in a wingsuit – who isn’t Red Devils – against a man in a car that isn’t a Porsche. So we have Peter Pyzera - Germany’s 2012 Nissan GT Academy Champion – in a 370Z Nismo blatting his way down Switzerland’s Susten Pas as it falls 4,501 feet and BASE jumper Dave Barlia in a wingsuit doing the same. Peter Pyzera said after the stunt: That was absolutely amazing, I could see Dave up above me and I just had to concentrate and get in the zone to beat him down.