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

Tokyo Motor Show: Mini appears across the globe

FRESH from its world debut at the Cowley plant in which it will be built, the new third-generation Mini has made its Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Both the modern Mini, and before it the original Issigonis Mini, are extremely popular in Japan where its strong British identity and high degree of personalisation hold strong appeal. The third generation version will build on that with its enhanced looks and specification.

Volkswagen e-Golf goes on sale – price from £30,845

The Volkswagen e-Golf (pictured) is now on sale in the UK The Nissan LEAF has almost had the market place for proper family EVs to itself until recently, but the arrival of the impressive BMW i3 -especially when specced with a range extending motor – threatens to make a dent in LEAF sales, and another dent could come courtesy of the new Volkswagen e-Golf, which goes on sale today in the UK priced from £30,845 (£25,845 after taxpayer bribe). In most of the ways that matters, the e-Golf is a regular Golf MK 7, but lurking under the familiar exterior lies a thumping great bank of batteries weighing 318kg (about the same as a car full of passengers) and an electric motor driving the front wheels and good for 113bhp. Range for the e-Golf is up to 118 miles from a full charge, a charge that will take 13 hours from a regular 3-pin socket, a more acceptable 8 hours if you use the optional 3.6 kW wallbox you can spec (for free from British Gas) and a quick charge of up to 80 per cent in 35 minutes.

EV advocate uninvited from Obama luncheon

Mr. Smith didn't make it to Washington. He didn't even make it to West Los Angeles.