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

New Range Rover gets Bridge of Weir Leather

The new Range Rover (2013) is getting its sumptuous leather interior courtesy of Bridge of Weir Low Carbon Leathers Land Rover’s supplier of choice for the Range Rover’s leather is Bridge of Weir Leather Company, part of the Scottish Leather Group and a privately owned Scottish Company that just happens to be the UK’s only automotive leather manufacturer (although they may need to rephrase that in a couple of years if Alex Salmond gets his way). The big shout is that Bridge of Weir’s leathers are low carbon, but what’s more interesting than the trendy (and, some would say, pointless) shout out is just how efficient Bridge of Weir are. The Bridge of Weir factory has its own Thermal Energy Plant which provides 70 per cent of its needs (and will provide it all by 2015) and all the waste products are recycled instead of being discarded.

Kustom kar kings' Dean Jeffries dead at 80

UPDATED: Dean Jeffries, a contemporary of California's great kustom kar kings in the early 1950s, who would go on to fame making cars for TV and movies, died Sunday, May 5 at 80. Jeffries grew up in Lynwood, Calif., across the street from Indy racer Troy Ruttman and around the corner from Sam and George Barris' shop. He spent his days hanging around the greats: George Cerny, Von Dutch and Big Daddy Roth.

Vauxhall Insignia facelift stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ten years on from the very first Insignia concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2003, Vauxhall is showcasing a new, facelifted Insignia here at Frankfurt 2013. Part of the update to the Insignia is a new internet connectivity feature, which should make life on the road for travelling professionals a bit easier – now you can locate your nearest non-VAT qualifying hot food snack retailer in next to no time… We’re also fans of the rationalised trim range, down from 14 grades to eight for the new car. While the Insignia’s updated engine range boasts impressive efficiency (as we’ll see in a minute), we can’t help wondering if this might have been a good time to introduce a hybrid or range-extender powertrain, trumping Ford and its forthcoming Mondeo Hybrid in the process.