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

Diesel hybrid cars avoid BIK penalty. Peugeot, Citroen & Volvo rejoice.

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 is the first car to benefit from BIK rates on diesel hybrids As a company car driver the Inland Revenue gets its cut no matter what. With BIK rates set based on CO2 emissions and list price, it’s hard to find a way to beat the system. Even opting for a diesel car doesn’t help because, despite much better economy on the whole from diesels than petrol engined cars, HMRC adds an extra 3% to your BIK rate because diesels emit more of the stuff that matters – particulates and NOx – than a petrol-engined car.

Mini nears big sales record

BMW's Mini brand will reach an all-time sales record this year, BMW sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson said. BMW sold 132,000 Minis in the first half. "If you double the half-year total, you aren't far off results for the year," Robertson told Automotive News Europe.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster (2009): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 03 July 2009 16:30 Pagani has unveiled a roadster version of its most radical road-legal Zonda ever, the Cinque. Just five Cinque Roadsters will be made, and with no roof, a 669bhp V12 engine, and a price tag broaching £1.1m (plus taxes) it's pretty special. Think again - and if Horacio Pagani wants to build 5 more gorgeous Cinques, this time without a roof so you can really hear that 7.3-litre V12 wail, then who are we to argue. There's a longer front spoiler, a flat undertray and diffuser, plus a new rear wing, all of which is enough to create the same 750kg of downforce at 186mph that Pagani claims for the coupe version.