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

Race2Recovery starts new Dakar challenge

A TEAM of disabled ex-soldiers has arrived in South America to take on this year’s Dakar rally, known as the toughest motoring challenge on the planet. Race2Recovery, the team of severely injured servicemen and civilian volunteers, is taking a second shot at the Dakar after last year becoming the first all-disabled team in history to complete it. This year the 5,600-mile course travels through Argentina and Chile, crossing the Andes mountain range and the Atacama Desert, where temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees Celsius.

Peugeot iOn Electric at Frankfurt

Peugeot are bringing the iON EV to Frankfurt Latest to join the electric car party is Peugeot, who have announced they will be showing the Peugeot iOn, which is to all intents and purposes a re-badged Mitsubishi i-MiEV. No question that this – like all these little electric cars – is a city car only. It ‘boasts’ a range of just 80 miles on a full charge, but that’s enough if you’re only using it in town.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.