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

Porsche threatens to pull Boxster production from Magna

Porsche is considering canceling an existing contract with Magna to build the next-generation Boxster and Cayman in Austria starting in 2013 and may instead move production to Karmann in Germany. The move would be aimed at protecting Porsche's closely guarded engineering and production cost secrets for its upcoming entry-level roadster and coupe. Porsche insiders say plans established under former boss Wendelin Weideking to build the Boxster and the Cayman at Magna's Graz factory in Austria are now being heavily reviewed following the Canadian/Austrian company's bid to take control of financially embattled Opel from General Motors.

Who's Where: Richard Ferlazzo appointed GM Australia design director

Richard Ferlazzo has been appointed General Motors Australia design director. Taking up the position from 1 September, he will report directly to executive director international operations design Michael Simcoe and also GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux. Ferlazzo will be responsible for Advanced, Production and Global Contract programs and replaces Andrew Smith who left Holden this month to take up the position of executive director of global Cadillac and Buick design at GM's technical center in Warren, Michigan.

Cars in the living room--art or furniture?

It takes a special kind of person to put a $100,000 supercar in the living room instead of the garage, but we say if you have the means, go ahead and do it. A photo collage that appeared on www.home-designing.com last week showed Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis sitting in houses as showpieces, like the works of art they are. Our enthusiast side says the owners should be out driving these spectacular pieces of machinery, but something tells us that if you have a Gran Turismo in the rumpus room, there's probably another one in your garage, too.