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

New Chinese saloon scores five stars at Euro NCAP

FLEDGLING Chinese car brand Qoros has scored an impressive five-star Euro NCAP result with its first car, the 3 saloon. Bolstering a 95% score in the long-established adult occupant protection and an 87% awarded for child passenger protection is an excellent 77% for pedestrian protection – a high score in what is a developing category. The 95% is, according to Qoros, the highest adult occupant protection score awarded by Euro NCAP in 2013.

Footballers 'prefer Range Rovers'

RANGE ROVERS are a clear favourite among Premiership footballers, according to a firm specialising in high-value car finance. Oracle Finance has revealed that 28 Range Rovers and 24 Range Rover Sports on its books feature a footballer as the registered keeper, making the British band's motors by far the most popular. The second most popular individual model is the Bentley Continental GT, with 26 ongoing purchases funded by Oracle, but that only totals half the combined number of Range Rovers in the survey.

Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.