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

Porsche 911 buyers flock to rare 24-month leases

Porsche is pushing 24-month leases for its 911 and is running a six-month lease pull-ahead incentive on all of its sports cars to offset a shortage of low-mileage used cars. This year, 22 percent of all 911 lessees have taken 24-month contracts rather than 36-month deals, says Michael Bartsch, COO of Porsche Cars North America. That compares with 10 percent before the push.

Concept Car of the Week: Mazda RX500 (1970)

Developed by the Toyo Kogyo Company's advanced design and engineering team, the Mazda RX-500 was described as a ‘mobile test bed for high-speed safety'. Looking at its design, the team's childlike enthusiasm has shone through, resulting in a very cool concept.  From the rakish front to the wraparound windscreen and on to the bread van rear, everything communicates high-tech and ‘70's futurism while also channeling a little of the Star Wars X-Wing. Thanks to plastic body panels, the concept weighs only 850kg and is powered by a 491cc rotary engine delivering 247bhp fitted behind the cabin, in front of the rear axle.

Didn’t The Bentley Boys Do Well?

AS Bentley gears up for a fulltime return to the racetrack, the weekend saw the Crewe-based luxury car maker score a solid fourth place overall at the Gulf 12 Hours of Abu Dhabi. Approached as a dress rehearsal ahead of the team’s attack on the 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series, the three driver-strong outfit achieved a creditable third and fourth place finishes in the two six-hour races at the Yas Marina circuit. The race programme – the first factory-backed activity since its 2003 Le Mans win – sees the firm use a Continental GT producing 600 horsepower in competition trim.