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

McLaren F1 designer signs on with Florida start-up

A small Florida company with hopes of making green performance cars has landed a big name. Rivian Automotive said this week that it has signed on Peter Stevens--the designer of the McLaren F1--as its director of design. It hopes to bring its first car to market in 2013 and launch more in 2014.

Nissan’s NV200 London Taxi revealed in production guise

Nissan’s NV200 London Taxi revealed in production guise The lack of investment in the traditional London Taxi has left the door wide open for competitors, and Mercedes has made a good pitch with its Vito Taxi. But perhaps the most promising option for London Cabbies is the new Nissan NV200 Taxi for London – previewed over a year ago – which has now been fettled enough to be rolled out in something very close to production guise. Designed by Nissan’s London Design Studio, the NV200 Taxi for London is very similar to those Nissan has produced for other iconic taxi hotspots round the world – like the yellow New York Nissan Taxi – but comes with a bit of a pastiche of the traditional black cab’s nose with a new grill and round headlights.

Ford B-Max

A production version of the Ford B-Max mini-MPV will make its debut at next month's Geneva motor show – one year after the concept was announced. The production B-Max stays true to the 2011 concept, with the same lack of a B-pillar between the conventional front and sliding rear doors, which creates a 1,500mm aperture. We'll be interested to learn how this affects both weight and rigidity as well as how much real-world advantage it offers.