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

New BMW 1-series bows with turbo four-cylinder power across the lineup

Meet the next-generation BMW 1-series. The upcoming baby Bimmer will sport all twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engines burning either gasoline or diesel, hauling around a car that's grown in every dimension except height. BMW also is expanding its use of eight-speed automatic transmissions to the 1-series lineup and making the BMW EfficientDynamics technology package standard.

Volkswagen CC R-Line announced for the UK

The Volkswagen CC R-Line (pictured) now on sale in the UK Earlier this year, Volkswagen decided they’d drop the price of the VW CC just a bit, so with an eye to a tick-box many UK buyers will like they’ve added the VW CC R-Line to the UK options to get some higher price sales in. Effectively an add-on option for the CC GT – which comes with a pretty decent spec anyway – the CC R-Line will get the usual subtle R-Line adornments to add a bit more butch to the appealing four-door coupe. That includes an R-Line grill with fog lights, new R-Line bumper, bigger sills, LED running lights, R-Line logos, 18″ Mallory Alloys and R-Line steering wheel, all of which adds a perfectly reasonable £650 to the price of the GT CC.

Brits taking risks abroad

THOUSANDS of British drivers risk breaking down or paying an expensive repair bill while on holiday in Europe. More than a quarter of UK drivers head to the continent without checking their car or having it serviced in preparation for a long journey. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found 33% of drivers make no effort to check their car, motorbike or motorhome before going on holiday.