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

The Mini is 50 years old today

  Today - 08/05/2009 - is the 50th anniversary of the first Mini rolling off the production line. To celebrate, and for a bit of free publicity (see, we’re playing the game) BMW has shipped the first Mini to roll of the production line back to Cowley to celebrate (picture at the bottom). 621 AOK, a Mini Minor, in Old English White, looks as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line half a century ago (although I wouldn’t mind betting it doesn’t have it’s original sills – they always rusted through – or copes with its original distributor and leads – one splash of rain and the car ground to a halt!).

Citroen C3 e-HDi 70 Airdream EGS VTR+ emits just 87g/km CO2

Citroen C3 e-HDi 70 Airdream EGS VTR+ emits just 87g/km You do have to wonder sometimes just how much we actually need expensive technology like hybrid powertrains and EVs when cars with conventional ICE engines can manage ridiculous mpg and emit little Co2- cars like the Citroen C3 e-HDi 70 Airdream EGS VTR+. Citroen has announced that their super-frugal C3 with a ridiculously long name (which fortunately doesn’t seem to be painted on the boot lid) and which was first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, is now on sale in the UK. The figures for the C3 e-HDI really are quite remarkable.

‘Big Red London Bus’ returns

The 21st Century 'Routemaster' Double-Decker Bus will be in service by 2012 I doubt we can speak for everyone who visits London. But from our perspective London is a poorer place now the iconic Routemaster red buses are relegated to the odd heritage route and pay-to-see tourist trip (and we’d have to say the same about Mercedes Taxis – nicer places to be but they don’t look right). What’s needed is a 21st century version of the Routemaster (and the Black Cab – but that’s another story).