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

Seat Leon Cupra 280 breaks Nürburgring lap record (2014)

By Ollie Kew Motor Industry 05 March 2014 11:00 You’re looking at the fastest front-wheel drive car ever to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife: the Seat Leon Cupra 280. A paddleshift DSG-equipped three-door example has lapped the 12-mile lap in 7min 58.44sec – smashing the previous record of 8min 7.97sec, held by the Renaultsport Megane Trophy. It's a slap in Honda's face too: the Japanese maker wanted its new Civic Type-R to be the first sub-8min hatch.

Mercedes CLS (2011 / 2012) spied undisguised

Mercedes CLS 2011 Spy shot The Mercedes CLS was the first - and some would say still the best - interpretation of a four door swoopy-coupe. It set the benchmark for cars to follow and made the genre hugely desirable. We now have everyone from VW to Porsche and Aston Martin to Jaguar producing 4 door coupes, with Audi joining in with the Sportbacks and BMW about to put the Gran Coupe in to production.

Leaked photos may show the 2014 Mazda 3

Mazda might not have planned on revealing the 2014 Mazda 3 lineup until next year, but photos showing the redesigned sedan and hatchback may expose the car’s lines a few months ahead of schedule. If the images are to be trusted, the Kodo design language—readily apparent on the upcoming 2014 Mazda 6 sedan and wagon—will make the jump to the smaller, less expensive Mazda 3 as well. Gone is the controversial “smile” grille worn by the 2012 Mazda 3.