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

Skoda Fabia concept

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 06 March 2007 03:50 Skoda looks to the Mini for Fabia body kit Expect to see some Mini-inspired styling cues on Skoda's new Fabia, taken from this concept car unveiled today at the Geneva show. Tucked in a corner alongside a rally car concept, the funked-up Fabia had a silver roof and door mirror caps; although not yet officially confirmed for production, officials reckon the new look will make it to showrooms, unlike a Fabia Scout faux-by-four, which was ruled out. The Fabia goes on sale in May for around £8000.

Driving age to be raised to 18?

A government-commissioned report has recommended probationary driving licences are in future issued from the age of 18, not 17 – and that learner drivers would be required to invest big in getting a licence. The new proposals would still see provisional driving licences issues from 17, allowing learners to get out on the road under supervision. However, learners would have to undertake a 12-month ‘learner stage’, in which they’d have to cover a minimum of 100 hours’ supervised driving.

Porsche Battery – a mere £1200

The rather expensive Porsche Lithium Ion Battery Car batteries have been roughly the same shape and size – and utilised basically the same lead-acid technology – for years. They’ve got better, as you no longer need to top them up with distilled water at regular intervals (I’m showing my age now), and they are less prone to going flat. But that probably has more to do with alternators replacing dynamos than the batteries themselves.