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

Police get tough with Ariel Atom supercar

ANYONE with a taste for speed might fear the sight of flashing blue lights in their mirrors, but nothing could be more frightening than this! British supercar maker Ariel has created this police-specification version of its new Atom 3.5 in order to support the Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Safer Rider campaign. The Atom PL1 has the same 350bhp supercharged 2.0-litre Honda engine, sequential gearbox and spectacular performance as the regular car – with a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds it can match most superbikes – but with the addition of Avon and Somerset Constabulary livery, aerodynamic pursuit lights and safety equipment.

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.

Home of NAIAS to be updated

The spiritual home of the NAIAS is set to be rejuvenated. The Cobo center in Detroit, home of the North American International Auto Show for over 24 years, is part of a $221 million project that will see it extended and renovated extensively. The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority have announced that many of the improvements to the Cobo center will be ready for the 2012 NAIAS, although the project is unlikely to be finished until 2014.