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

Concept Car of the Week: Bertone BMW Pickster (1998)

The creation of new niche products is an ongoing process for car manufacturers and sometimes combining different segments into one can provide a popular solution. Nowadays, all these mongrels are usually categorised under the same label ‘Crossover', which doesn't mean much anymore a part perhaps for an artificial off-road appearance. But back in America's sixties, the combination of a pick-up's functionality with the style and driving performance of a sports car became so successful that it created a whole new segment.

Electric cars amped up with £500 million boost

THE GOVERNMENT is to extend the £5,000 grant scheme open to anyone who buys a car with plug-in electric power. It is part of a £500 million move to encourage car owners – and city authorities – to take up the electric car baton and run with it. The initiative will give cities a chance to win government funding to further the sales of electric cars in their areas, for example by allowing them to use bus lanes or park for free.

New Nissan Navara NP300 pick-up arrives

The glitzier new Nissan Navara pick-up (pictured) arrives Double cab pick-ups are an odd creation, but they make a practical – and tax-efficient – option for users who need both a car and a pick-up, so the arrival of the new 2015 Nissan Navara pick-up matters to many. Styling on the new Navara isn’t dramatically different to the current model, but the 2015 Navara does look a bit more glitzy with its new chrome grill, chrome mirrors,  detail crease down the side, black B-pillars and some very non-utilitarian colour choices like Savannah Yellow. Inside, Nissan has moved the Navara up a notch or two in quality and ergonomics with a high-res colour display, aluminium trim (well, trim that looks aluminium), decent seats and a new steering wheel.