1990 Yamaha Fzr 600 Coolant Overflow Tank on 2040-parts.com

Best new car sales in six years

RECORD new car sales achieved a six-year high in 2013, the motor industry has announced. A total of 2,264,737 new cars were registered in 2013 - a 10.8% rise on the 2012 figure and the best annual total since the pre-recession year of 2007, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The 2013 total was boosted by a 23.76% rise, to nearly 153,000, in sales in December - the 22nd successive month of increases.

Brake issue prompts recall of BMW and Rolls-Royce vehicles

BMW is recalling about 198,000 cars with V8 and V12 engines to fix a problem with the brake system. The automaker said a potential leak in the brake system could cause a loss of vacuum, which would reduce the power braking assistance. BMW said the mechanical brakes will stop the vehicle even if there is a vacuum leak.

Volvo teases new Concept ES ahead of 2014 Geneva Motor Show

Volvo Volvo has released these mysterious teaser shots of its new Concept ES show car ahead of the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Although largely covered in a dustsheet - annoyingly - we can still see the first details of the new car, which has the silhouette of a long shooting brake. It's also the first confirmation of the name of the car: Concept ES harks back to the 480 ES of the late 1980s, which gave Volvo a distinctive coupe with pop-up headlamps and an unusual rear end (see below).