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

New Vauxhall Astra – the Race

The new Vauxhall Astra will be launched in September at Frankfurt This sixth generation of the Astra is a good looking car, and has taken a lot of its design cues from the very good Vauxhall Insignia. And it has in its sites the Ford Focus, the VW Golf and the new Mazda 3. So what better way to show its prowess than to produce a ‘viral’ video – without giving away too much detail – showing the new Astra mullering the Focus and the Golf on the track at Millbrook?

Where is Kinetic Design headed?

Martin Smith has been guiding Ford of Europe's design efforts since he was appointed to the position of Executive Design Director in 2004, coming straight over from an illustrious career at General Motors. During his tenure as Director of Design at GM Europe, Smith oversaw the Insignia concept car as well as much of the Opel range, including the acclaimed Astra. At Ford, Smith spearheaded the automaker's 'Kinetic Design' strategy and has since presented this vision in both concept and production car form.

Kahn Range Rover Evoque RS250 Vesuvius

A. Kahn Design has turned its hand to the Range Rover Evoque with the RS250 Vesuvius Copper Evoque with cosmetic tweaks and big wheels. Kahn Design is a relative newcomer in the Land Rover pimping and preening scene compared to Overfinch (whose Evoque 2012 GTS we showed last weekend), but they have a strong following and do a fine job of making stand-out Range Rovers.