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

One Lap of the Web: Mock the Week Edition

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about the future of Mazda: potential hybrid and electric powertrains for the Skyactiv-obsessed company, and how we'll all be driving Mazda-branded pods in the 22nd century. But he also mentions, rather interestingly, how certain Mazdas capture a quintessentially long-hood, RWD look -- and not just the Miata, either, which is RWD. No, it's the exhaust systems on those Skyactiv engines that force a longer, larger hood compartment, and the "long, flowing looks" not usually found on FWD engines.

Land Rover Discovery Vision concept car (2014): first glimpse

Land Rover Land Rover has issued the first sneak peek at the new Land Rover Discovery Vision concept car, heralding the newly expanded Discovery range. Booming sales of SUVs have encouraged the British 4x4 specialist to grow its popular Discovery family into a whole range of off-roaders. The next Freelander due by early 2015 will be badged as part of the Discovery lineup, for instance.

Nissan to alter design philosophy to attract females and younger buyers

Nissan will transform its design philosophy in an attempt to reengage with its female and younger buyers, the carmaker's director of Global Upstream Planning Rachel Nguyen has revealed. Speaking at the Nissan 360 event in the US, she announced Nissan is planning new gender-specific concepts to explore what women expect from their vehicles. "When we study the ideal vehicle partner qualities that women customers want, we hear that they want vehicles with effective technologies, especially intuitive navigation systems," she said.