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

Iowa distributes thumb bands imprinted with ‘TXTING KILLS'

Thumb bands that read “TXTNG KILLS” have been making their way around the state of Iowa, the Wall Street Journal reports. The bands--which are meant to serve as a reminder to avoid texting while driving--have been distributed at events such as the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa-Iowa State college football game. “A lot of people want them for their kids,” Courtney Greene, spokeswoman for Iowa's Department of Public Safety, told the Wall Street Journal.

Renault Scenic XMOD

In a move that marks the huge shift in interest from MPVs and minivans to SUVs, the definitive ‘mini-MPV' Renault Scenic has been rehashed and reborn as a pseudo off-roader. The addition of unpainted bumpers and lower body cladding, along with some metallic-effect details is a clear attempt to stem the flood of buyers choosing cars such as the Nissan Qashquai. It may be little more than an Allroad-style makeover rather than a new format but it speaks volumes in terms of how the family car market has shifted and not only in Europe.

BMW i3 EV will cost from £30,680 – less than we expected

The new BMW i3 EV (teased above) will costs from £30k The new BMW i3 electric City Car is due to be revealed in production guise on 29th July, ahead of which BMW has revealed it will cost from £30,680 – meaning a showroom sticker price of £25,680 after the EV taxpayer ‘grant’. That price is for the pure EV i3 – not the range-extender – which comes with a rear mounted 168bhp electric motor, a top speed of 93mph and a range (in ideal conditions) of around 80 miles between charges. At a retail price of £25k, the i3 compares favourably with other EVs like the Nissan LEAF, which costs from £21k, and the Chevy Volt at £30k (although that is a range extender).