03 Polaris Predator 500 Choke Cable & Plunger on 2040-parts.com

McLaren gives MP4-12C power and gadget upgrade

McLaren has announced a surprise package of upgrades which will be offered to existing owners of its MP4-12C supercar, free of charge. Owners will benefit from more power, a tunable engine noise and fewer foibles - yes, the tricky swipe-to-enter door handles are banished for good. So what exactly has changed on the McLaren MP4-12C for 2013?

Honda Civic Type R UK sales to cease

The Honda Civic Type R is dead. Or it is at least in Europe, as the high-revving, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine that powers Honda's hot hatch can't meet forthcoming emissions requirements  That's right – the Civic Type R can’t meet the latest Euro5 emissions regulations that come into force at the end of 2010, meaning in the UK and most other European countries (a tiny handful have Euro5 exemption) the Civic Type R will cease to be. If you live outside Europe then you’re still in luck as the Swindon-built Type R will continue to be sold in markets as far afield as Australia and South Africa.

Learners' bizarre superstitions revealed

NERVES can have a crippling effect on learner drivers once they get to test day. Here, instructors with the AA Driving School recall particularly superstitious students whose desire to get their full licence resulted in carrying out unusual rituals: :: One pupil wore the T-shirt she had on when she gave birth to her daughter (now seven years old) and the trousers she was wearing before she conceived. :: A learner had failed three times due to nerves.