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

High Fuel Costs Forcing Drivers Off Road

THE latest AA/Populus survey released to coincide with the Government’s Autumn Statement tells us something we probably already know: high fuel prices are continuing to force drivers to use their cars less. As part of its poll of 21,587 AA members, the organisation found that 45% are cutting down on car usage and 28% are slashing family or personal budgets to compensate. Semi or unskilled workers and pensioners are cutting back most on motoring, with 53% using their cars less.

2013 Kia Pro_cee’d specs and prices: Costs from £17,495

Kia has revealed price and specification for the 2013 Procee’d, starting from £17,495 for the Pro_cee’d 1.6 GDI S rising to £20,795 for the SE. The new Procee’d comes in two trim options – S and SE – and with a choice of a 1.6 litre GDi petrol engine or 1.6 litre CRDi  diesel, all with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard although you can opt for a DCT ‘box on the Pro_cee’d 1.6 GDi SE. The 1.6 GDi offers 133bhp and 164lb/ft of torque, does 52.3mpg and takes 9.8 seconds to 62mph.

Beanz Meanz More Eco-Friendly Future Fords

THE car industry is full of interesting and unusual business partnerships, but this latest tie-up between Ford and Heinz promises to be one of the more intriguing. Far from seeking to produce 57 varieties of any particular new Ford model, the two firms are exploring the use of tomato fibre to develop a sustainable composite materials for use in vehicle manufacturing. For example, boffins believe that dried tomato skins could become the wiring brackets in future Ford vehicles or the storage bin a customer uses to hold coins and other small objects.