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

Win the first new Jaguar XJ

Jaguar are hoping to raise £1 million for the NSPCC in a ‘Win a new XJ’ competition But the work of actually getting the XJ in to customers’ hands in now the focus, and although we did an update on the new XJ’s progress recently there is nothing much more to report until cars hit the road in January. But if you want to have the privilege of owning the very first new XJ off the production line – a 3.0 litre diesel Portfolio worth £62k – you can enter a competition Jaguar are running to give away that very first car. Jaguar are hoping that sales of tickets for the competition – which cost £125 each – will raise £1 million for the NSPCC’s ‘Child’s Voice’ appeal, which is aiming to raise £50 million in total to fund its helplines.

Aston Martin Lagonda SUV still moving forward

New reports suggest Aston Martin is still pushing forward with the Lagonda SUV, with underpinnings from the Mercedes GL. Last year we reported the Lagonda SUV was back on (although we’re not sure when it was actually off – just MIA) and that it was Aston Martin’s hope they could raid Mercedes parts bin for the underpinnings of the SUV, and take on the building of a new Maybach for Mercedes in the process. But as we now know, Mercedes has decided a Pullman S Class has more cachet (and less build cost) than  the glitter ball Maybach, so Aston Martin’s hopes of a nice profitable design and build deal evaporated with the last roll of the dice for the Maybach brand.

Think you can talk and drive? Not so much…

It has been well documented that texting while driving is a risky practice that results in thousands of motor-vehicle deaths each year. But talking rather than texting isn't really a better alternative, according to experts at the National Safety Council. The council is hoping to better explain why driving and talking on a cell phone is so dangerous by examining how the brain works when faced with multiple cognitive tasks.