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

Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 Preview

The Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 runs from 17th -27th September to the public Many of the Japanese makers will be conspicuous by their absence, but that should be more than made up for by the launches from the big European makers. And of course the Koreans – in the guise of Hyundai and Kia – will do what they’re starting to do in the market place and fill the gap left by the Japanese. You can already check out all the stories in one place for The Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, but we thought we’d highlight a few of the cars we know are making an appearance, in case you’ve missed them in the last few weeks.

2013 Volkswagen Passat R-Line & new 1.4 TSI arrive

The Volkswagen range is hugely successful and largely appealing, but it’s not always the most dynamic looking range of cars on offer. Which is why the R-Line option of fairly understated sporty add-ons is so popular and why VW is offering it on more and more of its range. Now we get the VW Passat R-Line treatment (just as we did with the old Passat) with a bespoke body kit offering more butch bumpers front and back – and cornering fogs in the front bumper – side skirts, 18″ Kansas alloys, spoiler at the back, lowered suspension, extra chrome, Bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights and privacy glass to give the Passat a much more appealing look.

Ian Callum on Jaguar

Ian Callum never grew up a rich boy, but his friends did. His father worked as a lawyer in Dumfries, a market town of 43,000 in the lower corner of Scotland, where the Solway Firth narrows to a point. When you travel, Callum reminisced, you forget how beautiful it is.