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

Used cars 'getting cheaper'

CONSUMERS holding on to their motor for longer are driving down the cost of used cars, according to new research. The average price for a second-hand car in July-September 2011 was £8,870 - a 2.4% decline compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Auto Trader company. It is the first time the price has dipped below £9,000 since the company started tracking the market in January 2010.

Telematics discounts tempting young drivers

INCREASING numbers of young drivers are opting-in to telematics-based car insurance in attempt to reduce their premiums. Specialist young driver insurer Carrot has reported a 62% rise in the number of its policyholders choosing to have a telematics device, consisting of accelerometers and a GPS tracker, fitted to their car. The company says that they could save up to 20% on their annual insurance premium, which for the youngest drivers almost always amounts to a discount of hundreds of pounds.

Citroen C-Buggy

Citroen will show their latest concept in Spain at the Madrid Motor Show next week. Chopping the roof off last year's C-AirPlay brings the concept closer the Smart Crossblade seen in 2001, and proposes a potential direction for a more leisure-orientated supermini. Just as open-cars are philosophically opposed to closed ones, Citroen has carried this equation through to the trim as well: the gray exterior of the C-Buggy contrasts with the white of the C-AirPlay, while the green interior inverts its forbear?s rouge.