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

Mini JCW convertible (2009): first official pictures

By Ben Whitworth First Official Pictures 10 February 2009 12:07 The new UK-built John Cooper Works Convertible will take centre stage on the Mini stand at the Geneva motorshow in February. Priced at a hefty £23,470 and on sale at the end of March, the convertible features the same chassis and powertrain tweaks as the JCW tintop. You’re right – that kind of money can get you into some pretty amazing metal these days, as you’ll see in the latest issue of CAR.

Original 'Panthermobile' and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica up for auction

The rare original ‘Pink Panther' car, one of the most iconic vehicles in movie and television history, will be put up for auction for only the second time alongside a replica of the widely-recognizable Chitty Chitty Bang Bang vehicle. The one-off ‘Panthermobile' was created in 1969 for the 'Pink Panther' show, which NBC ran from 1969 until 1976. Jay Ohrberg, who is renowned for producing a number of other iconic Hollywood vehicles, created the unique vehicle, which was originally designed by Bob Resiner. Ohrberg's other creations include the Knight Rider K.I.T.T., Back To The Future's DeLorean, the 1966 Batman Batmobile, the 1989 Batman Batmobile, the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee, Starsky & Hutch's Ford Gran Torino and even the Flintstones cars.

Where is Nissan and Infiniti design headed? Just look at the lamps

For a glimpse at future styling trends from Nissan Motor Co., look to the headlamps on the Nissan Leaf electric car and the sculpted rear of the Infiniti M. Front and rear lamps raised from the body surface and pronounced spoilers are two tricks Nissan will use more often to improve the aerodynamics and handling of vehicles--in addition to giving them a futuristic flair, global design chief Shiro Nakamura says. The goal: Win young drivers and bring sales of models such as the Nissan Altima in line with Japanese rivals "The important thing is the front end and the rear end," Nakamura said during an April 12 interview at the company's main design studio south of Tokyo.