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

Design Services: Artware Concept and Dassault Systèmes

Concept cars are the creative work and the car manufacturers' future vision as expressed by their in-house design studios, but the physical sculpture, the one we see under the spotlight at motor shows, is often the work of design consultancies. It is at these independent studios that the conceptual study, sometimes even a simple sketch, is visualized into a life-size, running prototype. Artware Concept is not a novice in the field.

Bahrain Grand Prix (2013) RESULT

Nico Rosberg put in a cracking lap in qualifying for the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix to take pole position, but the Mercedes did look like it might have problems with tyre degradation in the race. With Sebastian Vettel lurking alongside and Fernando Alonso right behind, it was a big ask for the German to turn his pole position in to a win, and so it transpired. Alonso managed to briefly get past Vettel at the start of the race, but Vettel soon got his second place back and within a couple of laps had taken Rosberg for the lead.

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.