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

Bentley promises '90% hybrid range by 2018'

By Ollie Kew Motor Industry 19 April 2014 17:07 Bentley will offer a plug-in hybrid version of 90% of the cars on its range as early as 2018, the company's CEO has confirmed. Speaking at the debut of the Mulsanne Hybrid Concept at the Beijing motor show, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber announced that a plug-in hybrid option was ‘the right choice for the future of Bentley’. He also confirmed that the first production-spec Bentley with a part-electric powertrain will be the marque's controversial new SUV.

Bloodhound 1000mph World Speed Record attempt goes carbon neutral. Piffle.

Richard Noble’s Bloodhound Land Speed Record attempt will now be carbon neutral thanks to sponsorship by Carbon Neutral Investments (CNI). People like Richard Noble – leader of the Bloodhound Project aiming to break the 1000mph land speed record – are made of the same stuff as Spitfire pilots and Biggles, with a gung-ho approach to the inherent dangers and an inability to contemplate failure; British Bulldog Spirit at its best. So it seems almost sad that a proper Boy’s Own adventure like the Bloodhound SSC – a 133,000bhp rocket and jet powered racing car – should bow to trendy PC sensibilities by announcing it’s a ‘Carbon Neutral’ project.

2013 European Car of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the European Car of the Year have been announced, a total of 5 finalists from a total of 34 nominees. It’s coming to the end of another year, so we’re going to be inundated with ‘Best Car of the Year’ awards for the next few weeks from all on sundry. Out of the gate today comes the final list for the European Car of the Year’ with a selection of eight cars (it was too close to call for the normal seven finalists) with the only real surprise perhaps being the inclusion of two French cars – the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208.