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

2013 European Car of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the European Car of the Year have been announced, a total of 5 finalists from a total of 34 nominees. It’s coming to the end of another year, so we’re going to be inundated with ‘Best Car of the Year’ awards for the next few weeks from all on sundry. Out of the gate today comes the final list for the European Car of the Year’ with a selection of eight cars (it was too close to call for the normal seven finalists) with the only real surprise perhaps being the inclusion of two French cars – the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208.

AA Survey says 40% of UK roads are in a ‘Terrible’ state

40% of our roads are in a ‘Terrible’ state We all moan about how bad the UK’s roads are after several years of extreme weather and even more years of underinvestment in road repairs. Now the AA has revealed that a survey of 29,911 of their members reveals that 40 per cent of local roads are considered to be in a ‘Terrible’ state, 34 per cent of main roads the same and just 11 per cent of local roads considered ‘Excellent’. None of which will come as a surprise to Cars UK readers; we get endless emails on the subject from disgruntled readers bemoaning the dangerous state of our roads and asking what can be done.

Pagani Zonda Tricolore: One-off Zonda at Geneva

The Pagani Zonda Tricolore - Geneva bound (click for bigger image) We already know that Pagani are taking the Zonda Cinque Roadster #4 to shove on their stand at the Geneva Motor Show, and you can add to that what could be considered an even rarer version of the Zonda – the Pagani Zonda Tricolore. This particulay Zonda has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Italian equivalent of the Red Arrows – the ‘Frecce Tricolori – and ordered up by a Pagani  distributor, which almost certainly means it’s already sold – for €1.3 million. Based on the Cinque, the Zonda Tricolore gets a fancy paint job which includes stripes which mimic the colours of the Frecce Tricori.