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

Prize for budding young motoring journalists

By Peter Adams Motoring Issues 03 June 2009 12:39 Aspiring young car writers searching for a gateway into motoring journalism may want to start typing and enter The Sir William Lyons Award 2009. The Sir William Lyons Award, which is sponsored by Jaguar and promoted by The Guild of Motoring Writers, is free to enter and open to anyone aged between 17 and 23, of British nationality and resident in the United Kingdom. The winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for £2000 at the Guild’s annual dinner and awards evening in London.

Renault Zoe EV gets cheaper – but only if you hardly use it

Renault Zoe EV (pictured) battery lease dropes to £45 a month The Renault ZOE eEV is one of the most affordable electric cars in the UK, with prices from £13,345 (after tax-payer bribe) plus a monthly cost for leasing the batteries from Renault. A bit like buying an ICE car and paying a monthly lease for the engine. But despite the Zoe’s ‘affordable EV’ tag, Renault has not had overwhelming success with the Zoe in the UK since it arrived last year, so they’ve come up with some new incentives to get car buyers to opt for their electric supermini.

Dacia Lodgy

Renault's budget brand, Dacia, is set to further its position as Europe's fastest growing automotive manufacturer with the introduction of the Lodgy. The five- or seven-seat MPV will be introduced at the forthcoming Geneva motorshow and promises to offer the brand's trademark qualities of value for money and robustness. Externally, there are visual links between the Lodgy and the products of its parent company, with the car sharing a similar silhouette to the Grand Scenic.