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

Peter Schreyer introduces Kia's new Sportage

It's a sign of just how significant the new Sportage is for Kia that rather than flying UK journalists to an international launch location the company instead rented a boutique hotel in London's Notting Hill, created a sketch gallery in the basement and flew in key members of the car's development team to meet the press — who were then lent some the first new Sportage's in the UK to test for a month. One executive present at the event was Kia's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. Car Design News was invited to meet with Peter to talk about his role at Kia and for him to talk us through a vehicle Kia is billing as the first to be designed entirely under his tenure.

Campaign To Encourage Switch To Low Emissions Motoring Launched

IN A bid to boost consumer awareness of the increasing numbers of low emissions vehicles entering the market, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP has helped to launch a new promotional campaign. Backed by some of the automotive world's biggest players - BMW, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall – the 12-month long ‘Go Ultra Low' campaign will prompt car buyers to consider the benefits of pure electric, plug-in hybrid and extended-range vehicles with information about their low running costs, ease of charging and impressive range. Consumers will be directed to new website, (www.GoUltraLow.com) offering information about owning and running such vehicles, the makes and models available and the locations of the thousands of publicly available electricity charging points.

London Taxi maker Manganese Bronze bought by China’s Geely

China automotive giant Geely has bought Manganese Bronze – makers of the iconic London Black Cab – in an £11.04 million deal. The iconic London Black Cab has been an accident waiting to happen for years, as under investment in making the Black Cab fit for the 21st century saw competition – like the Mercedes Vito Taxi and the Nissan NV200 Cab – start to offer serious competition to the taxi that identifies London. Despite an investment by China’s Geely – when Geely bought 20 per cent of Manganese Bronze, makers of the Black Cab – and the bulk of the Black Cab being produced in China and bolted together in the Midlands, the final nail in the coffin for Manganese Bronze was the recall of 400 TX4 cabs over a steering fault.