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

New Toyota MR-2 Hybrid planned?

Bset Car Magazine's take on a new hybrid MR-2 / MR-S The Toyota MR-2 was a much loved sports car in its day (despite the MR-2 bit sounding like ‘Sh*t’ if said in French) and lovers of the MR-2 have long bemoaned its passing. But if reports by Japan’s Best Car Magazine are to be believed, Toyota are planning a new MR-2 as a hybrid to take on the Honda CR-Z Coupe. Which does have a ring of truth to it.

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.

Michael Mauer appointed head of design at Porsche

Porsche AG has anounced the appointment of Michael Mauer to take over as chief designer from Harm Lagaay, who will retire on July 1 after 15 years in the post. Michael Mauer, 41, studied automobile design at Pforzheim University, and started his career at Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he was appointed design project leader for the Mercedes V Class models, and was in charge of design work for the first SLK model generation.