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

Concept Car of the Week: Vauxhall VX Lightning

Both Ford and Vauxhall celebrated their 100-year anniversaries in 2003, but despite much of the attention being focused on the American giant, GM's UK subsidiary unveiling its own birthday present: the VX Lightning. Revealed at the Dorchester Hotel in London in May, the Vauxhall Lightning concept was a joint project between the GM North America (GMNA) Advanced Design Studio in England and the Opel/Vauxhall Design Center in Rüsslesheim, Germany. The Vauxhall ‘V' brand motif is a recurring theme throughout the car, despite the company's relative lack of global recognition.

Ford reveals S-Max concept ahead of 2013 Frankfurt motor show

Here's another one that'll probably go straight into the “not bound for United States shores” file: the Ford S-Max concept, which will make its grand debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Ford says the S-Max previews a “future sport activity vehicle,” which may, in fact, be contemporary PR-speak for “mini-minivan.” Look beyond the carbon-fiber interior detailing (and add some door handles) and you'll see a vehicle that looks more or less production-ready. The S-Max concept isn't too wildly sculpted, sharing styling cues with current Fords (including the Fiesta, Escape/Kuga, C-Max and Fusion/Mondeo) -- from the creases on the hood to the high, hexagonal grille to the stainless steel trim surrounding the greenhouse.

CDN and Opel/Vauxhall launch new Interactive Competition – design the Ampera of 2020

‘Design the 2020 Ampera': That's the challenge being thrown down to European design students by Opel/Vauxhall's design team in a new interactive competition launched today in conjunction with Car Design News. The Car Design News - Opel/Vauxhall Interactive competition builds on last year's inaugural competition, which tasked students with designing a ‘Lounge in motion'. To enter this year's competition click here: Design the 2020 Ampera The prizes - Six-month paid internship at their design studios in Russelsheim, Germany - Finalists will have their work displayed on the Opel/Vauxhall stand at the 2012 Paris salon de l'auto and be invited to attend the show, where the winner will be announced The brief Most students will be well aware of Opel/Vauxhall's ground breaking Ampera - the range-extended electric vehicle that goes on sale across Europe in 2012.