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

Concept Car of the Week: Saab Aero X

In January 2005 Bryan Nesbitt, then-executive director of GM Europe Design, charged the 15-strong Saab Advanced design team in Gothenburg, Sweden, to create the "ultimate vision of the brand". The design team – led by head of Advanced Design at Saab, Anthony Lo – worked on a number of sports car proposals, which were considered 'the jet fighters of the road.' The chosen proposal by Alex Daniel was for a large, front-engined sports car that would become one of the most universally acclaimed concept cars of recent times. Of course the Aero X's door arrangement – complete with huge, forward-hinged canopy – is its party trick, but even without the theatrics the car's proportions, surfacing and graphics are exceptional.

Michelin design contest inspires young minds

The College for Creative Studies in Detroit held its 24th Michelin Design challenge, in which Michelin sponsors a design and development project for one of CCS' transportation design classes. The competition works like this: CCS and Michelin get together to develop a theme, then CCS picks which transportation design class will work on the project. The idea, Michelin says, is to celebrate and promote the kind of vehicle design that highlights original thinking and innovation.

Mercedes CLA: Price from £24,355

The new Mercedes CLA – the swoopy coupe based on the new A Class – will cost from £24,355 in the UK with a choice of Sport or AMG Sport trim. Mercedes gave a quick flash of their cool new A Class Coupe and then whipped it off to the Berlin Fashion Week for a proper debut, clearly showing that Mercedes think the new CLA a style statement as much as a car. And now, if you want to make a style statement with the good looking CLA (a car Mercedes call ‘Cool’) you can, with the CLA now on sale in the UK.