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

MINI Coupe: It’s official

MINI Coupe - now undisguised It’s been an odd debut – the MINI Coupe. We had the ‘Concept’ version of MINI’s two-seat sporty job back at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. That was followed by a short period where MINI were claiming the Coupe (and its topless twin, the MINI Roadster) were just concepts to see what the public thought.

CAR interviews Porsche design chief Michael Mauer

By Ben Barry Motor Industry 11 June 2014 09:09 CAR magazine caught up with Porsche’s head of design Michael Mauer to talk about Porsche styling. Read on for our full interview – where we discuss keeping the 911 fresh, assimilating SUVs into a sport car line-up and design inspiration in general. ‘I studied transport design in Pforzheim, Germany, and joined Mercedes in 1986.

Audi TT ultra quattro concept sheds 300kg & heads for Worthersee

The TT ultra quattro concept manages to tip the scales at 1111kg, 299kg less than the starting point – the TT S quattro – thanks to a new version of the TT’s aluminium space frame, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, carbon fibre for many body panels and some judicious use of magnesium. Other weight saving tricks include carbon ceramic brakes with aluminium calipers, titanium exhaust, cameras instead of heavy door mirror mechanisms, and carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. The weight saving extends to the interior of the TT ultra quattro concept too, with carbon fibre used for the door and centre console trims and glass-fibre reinforced plastic base for the seats which saves 22kh alone. But despite the weight savings Audi hasn’t made the TT ultra quattro concept a hair shirt outing with goodies like leather seats, AirCon and electric windows still on offer.