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

What happened to the Bentley GT Speed Top Gear took rallying?

We asked Bentley what happened to the Continental GT Speed Top Gear took rallying in the first episode of Series 19. All that Top Gear did to the GT Speed to prepare it for the rally stage was to chuck out the comfortable, quilted Mulliner front seats and replace them with proper racing seats. Other than that, it was all down to the Bentley’s suspension and enormous torque to take on the worst roads Wales could throw at it.

Porsche Design creates Shisha pipe

Porsche has designed a Shisha pipe as part of their Porsche Design World Collection. The Shisha will be the latest addition to the collection, which already ranges from chopsticks to a tea and soup set as well as fashion items such as a polo shirt, a jacket and a silk scarf. The pipe, made in Germany, stands at 55cm tall and is made up of materials such as glass, aluminum and stainless steel.

Toyota to close Australian design studio

Toyota designers at its Technical Center Asia Pacific Australia (TTCAP-AU) are to lose their jobs as part of Toyota's decision to scale back the facility's activities as well as halting all manufacturing within the country by 2017. The TTCAP-AU, which carries out all its Australian design and evaluation operations, employs 150 designers and modelers and it's possible that its activities with the Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion models could be scrapped, raising doubts over its future. Around 2,500 employees at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant are expected to lose their jobs, although the effects are likely to be wider ranging.