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

Electric car range drops by nearly 60% in cold weather

Electric cars like the Nissan LEAF (pictured) can lose 60% of their range when it’s cold We already know that the range of electric cars reduces as the car ages, with Nissan conforming that the LEAF’s range will drop by up to 28 per cent over five years. And now we have confirmation that the ambient temperature can have a big impact on range too, thanks to the AAA, America’s equivalent of the AA. The AAA took three standard EVs on sale in the US - Nissan LEAF, Ford Focus EV and Mitsubishi i-MiEV – and subjected them to test in different ambient temperatures.

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (2013) first official pictures

This is the cavernous new Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, a bigger version of the C4 Picasso MPV we recently tested. The Grand Picasso stands 4590mm long – the same as its predecessor – but sees its wheelbase stretched to the longest in its class for maximum cabin space and enormous door openings. What it does share with the regular Picasso is a lightweight body structure and frugal downsized engines.

Flintoff spared ban for speeding

ANDREW 'Freddie' Flintoff has escaped a driving ban for speeding in his Bentley after arguing "exceptional hardship" to magistrates. Flintoff, 36, was already on nine points for speeding and in danger of an automatic ban with another three points after admitting being behind the wheel when flashed by a camera doing 87mph on the M6, near Linstock, Cumbria on January 28 this year, Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard. But JPs accepted a ban would amount to exceptional hardship because of the effect on others who rely on his extensive charity work and the privacy of his three children.