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

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Dacia Sandero: Looks just like a £33k car!

With Renault’s budget Dacia Sandero now hitting UK showrooms, one dealership has been asking shoppers to estimate how much a Sandero will cost. We’ve all been surprised with the reaction in the UK to the new Dacia range’s arrival in UK showrooms, and not just the price. Renault’s budget range is managing to offer properly credible new cars at prices that are almost a no-brainer, especially if value ranks higher on your wish-list than image or toys.