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

McLaren P1 tests in Arctic, MP4-12C at drag strip

McLaren has produced less than a handful of road cars in its 50-year existence, and they've all been hits. The company currently sells two cars for the street: the P1 and the MP4-12C, and they both require the “super” moniker. The McLaren P1 made its debut at the Paris motor show in September, and has been the subject of many analyses ever since.

McLaren P1 gets 903bhp

McLaren has revealed that their new supercar – the McLaren P1 – will deliver 903bhp and have emissions below 200g/km. The McLaren P1 will get 727bhp from its 3.8 litre V8 with an additional 176bhp coming from an electric motor for a combined power delivery of 903bhp, with the V8 contributing 531lb/ft of torque and the electric motor an instant 192lb/ft for a combined torque of 664lb/ft at 4000rpm. The boost from the electric motor is instantly available at the flick of a button on the steering wheel – McLaren call it Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) – which instantly throws more additional power to aid the McLaren’s V8 than a pair of Fiestas can manage.

Vauxhall Astra GTC gets new 1.6 litre ‘Whisper’ diesel – price from £22,260

The Vauxhall Astra GTC gets the new 1.6 litre CDTi Just like all major motor manufacturers, Vauxhall are busy improving their engine range with new, more efficient and more powerful lumps. One of Vauxhall’s major engine projects has been to get the old 1.7 litre CDTi out of its cars and replace it with their new ‘Whisper’ 1.6 litre CDTi. The first Vauxhall to get the new 1.6 CDTi was the Zafira Tourer in early 2013, and the latest is the Astra GTC.