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

Electric cars must get noisier, ICE cars must get quieter

Electric cars will have to make a noise to protect pedestrians It’s four years since the Lotus solution for making electric cars noisy raised its head, since when the US has had a go at the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010 to do the same thing, the Japanese are playing too, and Toyota revealed the Prius Vehicle Notification System, and now the EU has decided its time to act to make EVs emit ‘noise’. Despite the most appealing part of an EV being that it makes our cities quieter, legislators worry about the blind, partially sighted and distracted pedestrian (think earphones and a Smartphone) being mowed down by a stalking electric car and feel the need to act. So the European Parliament has decided that by 2019 new models of electric vehicle will have to make a noise in cities, and that by 2021 all new hybrids and electrics must be noisy too.

Alfa Romeo 4C: Tease begins ahead of Geneva 2013 debut

Alfa Romeo has begun the tease for the production version of the Alfa 4C – calling it the ‘Car to end all cars’. Geneva 2013 debut planned. The first tease from Alfa for the 4C – which is a ‘Car to end all cars’, according to Alfa – has now arrived and, although it doesn’t mention the 4C by name, it’s clear it’s the 4C that’s being trailed.

Parker's iPhone app

Buying a second-hand car? Worried about how much to offer in part exchange for your old motor? Well, there’s an app for that… We’ve been testing a new application for the iPhone and iTouch called the Parker’s price checker, and on first inspection we’re rather impressed.