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

Mini John Cooper Works GP (2012) full specs and stats

A cynical marketing exercise, or Mini getting back to its pocket rocket best? Say what you like about the new (deep breath) Mini John Cooper Works GP, but there's no arguing with its raw specification. With slightly more power (up to 215bhp from 208bhp in the standard JCW), it's the fastest Mini yet.

Qoros: A new Chinese car brand to hit Europe in 2013

Qoros – a joint venture between Chery and Israel Corporation – will launch an offensive on the European car market at Geneva 2013. The Chinese car market is huge, but most Chinese car makers are all but unknown outside China. But that could change with the launch of a range of Qoros cars in Europe, with the first reveal scheduled for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Paramount Marauder – yep, the one from Top Gear

The Marauder lays waste a wall We knew the Hamster was off to South Africa to play with a vehicle that made the Hummer look like a Tonka Toy. And we knew – because they ‘hinted’ at it when we spoke to them last week – that the whole Top Gear segment had more than a little to do with the Paramount Group in South Africa, purveyors of innovative armoured vehicles. So, as suspected, we were treated to Richard conquering the Urban Jungle of Johannesburg in the Paramount Marauder, an aptly-named, go anywhere, seemingly indestructible piece of military hardware made street-legal.