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

First Sight: Mercedes-AMG GT

“If I was to buy any sports car that wasn't a Mercedes, it'd be a Porsche 911,” says Mercedes' head of design, Gorden Wagener. “But when you see the two cars together, we think ours has the edge.” He's talking about the new Mercedes-AMG GT, a front-mid engined, two-seater sports car that's unashamedly aimed at higher-end 911s, and we've come to see it at Mercedes' Sindelfingen studio.  The GT replaces the larger SLS, and is seen by Wagener as the best example yet of his 'sensual purity' design philosophy: “The SLS is very much [he gestures] line, line with a surface in between. With the GT we started with the surface and worked to refine and reduce the number of lines.” Elements of the SLS's platform have been carried over, so the GT measures the same 1,939mm wide.

Smoking in cars containing children to be banned

SMOKING IN CARS in the presence of children is to be outlawed in England by the end of the year, Downing Street has signalled, after MPs voted overwhelmingly to make it a criminal offence. A No 10 source said Parliament had made its view clear and ministers are now looking at the practicalities of implementing the ban, with a view to getting it place before 2015. The Commons voted by 376 to 107 last night - a majority of 269 - to give the Health Secretary the power to impose a ban in England.

Rolls Royce Phantom Bespoke Chicane Coupe homage to Goodwood

The Rolls Royce Phantom Bespoke Chicane Coupe – with a touch of Goodwood When you get to the rarefied level of the Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe – starting point £253,000 – it seems almost odd to have a ‘Special Edition’ car with extra goodies bolted on. But that, in essence, is what the Rolls Royce Phantom Bespoke Chicane Coupe is, although it’s more a push for the abilities of Rolls Royce bespoke design division than anything else. Commissioned by Rolls Royce in Dubai, the Bespoke Chicane Coupe comes in an appealing shade of Gunmetal Grey with matt black highlights, wheels painted to match (usually an after-market happening) with lashings of red leather, carbon fibre and piano black trim on the inside with a starlight roof lining.