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

MOT test gets tougher for diesels

THE MOT TEST for cars with diesel engines is set to become much tougher from February 2014 due to new rules about exhaust filters. Diesel-engined cars fitted with an exhaust filter as standard when new will now be checked to make sure it is still present. Any car found to have had the filter removed will be automatically failed and required to have a new filter fitted.

A Decade Of Fast Vauxhalls Celebrated

VAUXHALL is celebrating 10 years of its VXR performance brand in style, with the launch of a new version of its popular VXR8 model. The GTS variant joins an illustrious line of hot Vauxhalls from the last decade that saw the memorable VXR220 roadster and Aussie bruiser the Monaro VXR hit the showrooms back in 2004. There are currently five cars in Vauxhall's VXR range: the Corsa VXR, the 210 horsepower Corsa VXR ClubSport, the 280 horsepower Astra VXR, the 325 horsepower Insignia VXR and the aforementioned 576 horsepower VXR8 GTS.

New 2014 VW Golf R gets 296bhp – first photos

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf R (pictured) revealed ahead of its Frankfurt debut We had expected the new Volkswagen Golf R to debut at Geneva this year, but that debut turned out to be the rather disappointing Mk 6 VW Golf R Cabrio, that not only sacrificed 4WD but came at a silly price (which VW subsequently dropped by more than £5k). But this time there’s no mistake, and the 2014 version of the VW Golf R – complete with 4WD, we’re pleased to say -will arrive next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show before going on sale in early 2014. Under the bonnet the 2.0 litre petrol turbo delivers a healthy 296bhp (300PS) and 280lb/ft of torque which is sent to all four wheels through VW’s latest Haldex 4Motion 4WD, with the ability to decouple the back axle drive under low load conditions and send almost all the power to the back wheels too when demanded.