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

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price The BMW i3 – BMW’s first foray in to a world of electric cars – was officially revealed in July – and due on sale in 2014 – and seems, by electric car standards, to be almost affordable. At a starting price of £30,680 – £25,680 after the taxpayer bribe for EV buyers – it’s no more expensive than other electric cars and does come with some clever technology – and the BMW badge – that will help it move out of showrooms. But as we reported as far back as 2011, the BMW i3 is to get a range-extender option – a small petrol engine that kicks in to recharge the batteries when they get low – which will make the i3 a much more practical proposition.

UK Car Sales down 272,000 in 2008

Well, we knew the car industry was in trouble, and that in the last quarter of 2008 car sales fell off a cliff. But it has now been confirmed that overall sales for the UK in 2008 fell by 272,212 units, or 11.3%. December figures alone showed a drop of 21.2% year on year.

Video: Ferrari F70 caught drifting at Fiorano

0-60 tipped us off to this short video of Ferrari's forthcoming Enzo successor drifting its way around Ferrari's Fiorano test track. The F70's V12 can be heard, though there's no evidence of the rumored KERS-like hybrid system. Ferrari tells us to expect a sub-2,500-pound curb weight, and we're also hearing the 920-hp figure bandied about.