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

Skoda confirms two new models

Skoda Vision D at Geneva - Skoda's new design direction It’s now got to the point with Skoda where the skip-on-wheels reputation of the ’70s and ’80s – and even the ‘Cheap’ VW tag of the ’90s and ’00s – has been completely eclipsed by the perception of Skoda as quite simply the maker of some crackingly good cars. Cars like the brilliant little Skoda Fabia vRS – which we’d take over the Polo GTI (much more character) – and the equally brilliant Skoda Yeti which, although it might not quite live up to Clarkson’s recent tongue-in-cheek assertion as the best car in the world is, nonetheless, exceptionally good. That change in perception is clear in the confident model range on offer from Skoda and the clever way in which it’s marketed.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S rips out 550 hp

If you remember nothing else about the updated 2014 Aston Martin Rapide–now with an S added to the name–keep this in mind: Power surges 80 hp to a whopping 550 hp from the naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 engine. Aston Martin dipped into its expertise gleaned from the World Endurance Championship GT competition to fortify output and efficiency. Torque increases to 457 lb-ft (from 443 lb-ft), and top speed is pushed 7 mph to 190.

Mercedes SLS AMG – production begins

The Mercedes SLS AMG has gone in to production in Germany I don’t know why – as Mercedes hadn’t previously announced it – but we guessed that they’d already started to put the Mercedes SLS AMG in to production ready for the first customer cars to start hitting in the Spring. But apparently they’ve only just started. The SLS AMG is due to arrive in Germany at the end of March at a base price of €177,310 and is being produced at the Mercedes factory in Sindelfengen, Germany.