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

Big Willie Robinson: 1942-2012

Big Willie Robinson was as much legend and myth as flesh and bone, and at six feet, six inches and weighing 300 pounds, with 21-inch biceps and a 58-inch chest, there was a lot of flesh and bone. Robinson was more than a drag racer, promoter and sanctioning-body president. He was the man who used the power of horsepower to unite people of all colors and creeds under the banner of drag racing, once saying at a race, “Ain't no colors here, it's all just engines.” As the founder and president of the National and International Brotherhood of Street Racers, he used racing to bring the races together.

BMW M4 Convertible revealed. Price from £60,730

The BMW M4 Convertible (pictured) revealed We reported last month that the new BMW M4 Convertible would debut at this year’s New York Auto Show, and here it is ahead of that debut complete with trick folding metal roof, 425bhp and a price tag that just nicks over the £60k line. A direct replacement for the old M3 Convertible, the M4 Convertible will cost you just over £4k more than the M4 Coupe, but for the extra money you get the same car but with infinite headroom – and a big weight penalty. The new 3-piece metal folding roof can be tucked away in a mere 20 seconds at the flick of a switch, with better noise insulation than the M3 Convertible had and more room in the boot when the roof is down too.

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.