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

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Hyundai ix-Metro Concept – too much ‘Design’

The Hyundai ix-Metro Concept at Frankfurt The new ix35 – despite looking very similar to most offerings in the same sector –  is enormously competent – at least in its conception –  and well built. Most importantly for buyers it will undercut the current offerings, whilst offering a package the equivalent of the best. But is Hyundai getting a bit too wrapped-up in its Euro-design?

McLaren 650S priced from £195,250 and does 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds

The new McLaren 650S (pictured) costs from £195,250 It’s only ten days since the McLaren 650S was revealed as a more hardcore version of McLaren 12C supercar – and with more than a hint of P1 styling – but McLaren are already building it and have revealed performance and price details. Available as either a 650S Coupe or 650S Spider, the starting point is £195,250 for the Coupe and £212,250 for the Spider, that’s almost £20k more for the 650S Coupe than the 12C Coupe and £17k more for the Spider. But apart from the more dramatic styling, increased downforce and tweaks from the extra power – the 650S gets 641bhp – to the improved handling and dynamics, you also get increased levels of optional equipment including carbon racing seats from the P1, rear parking camera and full carbon fibre interior.