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

Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

2012 Fiat 500c convertible pricing and new video released

The posh new 2012 Fiat 500c will be available this spring, starting at $19,500. This, according to Fiat, makes the 500c the only cabrio with a starting price of less than $20,000. Optional features bump the cost for each of two available trim levels.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake & New Mercedes A Class UK debut at MotorExpo

MotorExpo London 2012 The Jaguar XF Sportbrake, new Mercedes A Class, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and new Kia cee’d get a UK debut at London’s MotorExpo. Traditional car shows have died something of a death in recent years, with just a handful of car shows round the world still attracting big numbers. Car ‘Events’ have become the order of the day with stuff like Goodwood and Salon Prive offering car lovers a proper petrolhead experience instead of static displays of untouchable cars in industrial units.