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

Drivers' 'huge petrol tax burden'

BRITISH DRIVERS are still facing a huge petrol and diesel tax burden despite three years of fuel duty freezes, according to the RAC Foundation. The UK has the highest rate of diesel tax in Europe while only Sweden imposes a higher petrol tax duty than the UK, the foundation said. Its figures showed that tax accounts for 59% of the price of diesel in the UK, with Sweden (56%) second and Italy (55%) third.

Mercedes CLA starts to roll off production line in Hungary

The Mercedes CLA – the baby Mercedes CLS based on the new A Class – has started to roll off the production line at Kecskemét in Hungary. But that’s probably unfair; based as it is on the new A-Class, the CLA is a very good car under the skin, even if its big USP is the dramatic styling. Now, just over a week after the CLA got its first public reveal (if you don’t count the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe on which its based), the first production car has rolled off the line at the Mercedes plant in Kecskemét, Hungary.

New Ford Kuga (2012): Kick a Kuga (or an Escape) +video

New Ford Kuga / Escape Hands-Free Tailgate - Kick to Open The new 2012 Ford Kuga will debut later this month at the Los Angeles Motor Show (alright, strictly speaking it’s the 2013 Ford Escape – but they’re the same) so Ford has decided to tease the Kuga with its clever tailgate trick. Yes, the new Kuga has a tailgate that has a party trick – it opens when you kick it. Yes, we’ve all hard cars that need their doors kicking to shut them (the new Kuga will do that too), but opening with a kick is a bit of a first.