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

Beijing motor show: China means (auto) business

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 22 April 2008 05:34 Only a fool wandering around this week's Beijing motor show would still dismiss China as some also-ran automotive market full of rip-off designs and outdated ‘new’ cars based on old Western designs. While all of those clichés were still in evidence at the Chinese auto show, the copycat mentality is much less obvious than even a year ago at last year's Shanghai show. And every western car exec CAR spoke to was in awe of the upward sales trajectory that means China is still the place to do business in 2008.Yes, there are still some odd automotive fish, usually small ‘three-box’ saloon in shape such as the Chinese market only Citroen C-Elysee and the VW Lavida (a Jetta/Bora Plus car with less style).

The Best Diesel Car…in the World!

So when Diesel Car Magazine proclaims its winners each year it’s something car buyers are likely to take notice of next time they’re in the market for a new car, so it’s worth having a look at what came out on top. The VW Golf Mk 7 TDI took the gong for the best diesel car of 2013 (as well as best Medium diesel car), snatching the award out of the hands of Land Rover”s Range Rover Evoque, which won in 2012 (and wins best crossover diesel this year). Many of the cars that won an award have been on the list of winners before – like the Jaguar XF which is the best executive diesel for the fifth time and the Land Rover Discovery 4 which makes best diesel 4×4 for the fourth time – but there are new winners too with the Kia Cee’d Sportswagon winning best estate and the Ford B-Max grabbing the gong for best diesel MPV.

4x4 prices rise sharply

FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE cars are soaring on the used car market, according to car auction house British Car Auctions (BCA). Off-roader values rose by up to 16% in October as the first signs of winter emerged. With some medium-term weather forecasts highlighting a colder-than-average winter, BCA is predicting that 4x4 prices may keep rising.