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

Is the DfT trying to nobble 80mph speed limit trials?

With trials proposed for an 80mph speed limit, the ABD are asking if the DfT are trying to fix the trials by running them on congested motorways. When the ConDems came to power, and Philip Hammond was made Transport Secretary, we did hope that might be a sign that government policy on cars would finally make sense, especially when Philip Hammond declared ‘The war on motorists is over‘. Philip’s aim was to look at stuff like national speed limits and create a system that made sense, rather than the silly situation we have where everyone knows you won’t get nicked for 85mph on a motorway unless plod got out of bed the wrong side.

Lotus named lead marque for Goodwood

Lotus will take a place of pride as lead marque at June's Goodwood Festival of Speed, backed by an expected record attendance of more than 40 historic racing Lotus models. “Lotus is an incredibly important British car marque, and we plan to have maybe the greatest concentration of a single marque that we've ever had at the festival,” said Lord March, whose Goodwood historic house provides the backdrop for the four-day event beginning on June 28. Emerson Fittipaldi will be reunited with his championship-winning Lotus 72 and an early Lotus 7 race car, a type that many drivers--including British Le Mans legend Derek Bell--cut their teeth on in their formative years.

Frankfurt auto show: Mercedes-Benz previews the electric B-class

Mercedes-Benz revealed an electric-powered B-class with range-extending capabilities at the Frankfurt motor show. This rounds out the company's line of standard gasoline- and diesel-engine versions in the second generation of the multipurpose fiver-seater. Set to go on sale in selected markets in 2013, the B-class E-cell Plus is propelled by a 136-hp electric motor that draws electricity from a lithium-ion battery mounted low within the car's MFA platform structure.