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

Fisker to show Surf shooting brake at Frankfurt

Fisker will show a new Karma-based shooting brake called Surf at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. This is the first picture of the Fisker Surf, issued after CAR broke the news of the shooting brake earlier in the week. Customers of the Karma have been disappointed by the boot space – pinched by the bulky batteries and range-extender hardware – so Henrik Fisker's team has designed a new shooting brake to offer an expanded luggage hold while retaining the grace of the four-door coupe.

Company cars linked to speeding

COMPANY CAR drivers are far more likely to exceed the 70mph motorway speed limit than private motorists, according to an RAC survey. As many as 88% of those behind the wheel in firms' vehicles regularly exceed the limit compared with 67% of private motorists. Also, 62% of company of company car drivers said they reached speeds of 80mph on motorways, almost double that of regular motorists (32%).

Aston Martin make Nissan’s Andy Palmer their new CEO

Andy Palmer (pictured) is taking the reins at Aston Martin Lagonda Aston Martin has effectively been without a boss since Ulrich Bez stepped down from the role last year, but that changes with the announcement that Andrew Palmer – until now, Chief Planning Officer of Nissan – is to step in to the role. There’s no specific start date for Andy Palmer at Aston, but Nissan has announced that Philippe Klein will take up Palmer’s role at Nissan on 15 September, so it shouldn’t be long before Palmer holds the reins at Aston Martin. But what exactly has persuaded Andy Palmer to jump from a big corporate behemoth like Nissan to a struggling luxury car maker with owners who either want to tug the operating strings (the Kuwaitis) or are looking for a quick return (Investindustrial)?