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

Third of motorists admit to driving with no MOT

A third of motorists have driven a car knowing the MOT had expired, risking fines of up to £1,000 and invalidating their insurance in the process. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which found that of 1,000 UK motorists, 67% had driven without an MOT for up to a week, 24% for a month, 7% for six months and – shockingly – 2% for more than six months. Now we’d give the 67% who admitted driving without an MOT for a week the benefit of the doubt – it’s easy to forget the test is due.

Porsche Carrera GT in Paul Walker crash had six owners in its cross-country life

Always Evolving's Porsche Carerra GT -- recognizable for its unusual red color and black wheels -- is a difficult car to drive for even professionals, with one top driver calling its handling “scary." Those of us at Autoweek who have driven the car will likely concur. Always Evolving, a car race and tuner store operated by CEO Roger Rodas, a financial consultant who became friends and business partners with actor Paul Walker at a racetrack, acquired the car last spring, and used it often at car shows and in promotional ads. Rodas was driving when the car crashed, killing him and passenger Walker in a California business park Saturday afternoon.

Volkswagen XL1

This, remarkably, is the production version of the Volkswagen XL1, the most fuel-efficient production car in the world, a car we'll see in Geneva in a little over a week. Barely changed from the concept version shown at the Qatar motor show two years ago, the production XL1 is the first production result of VW's 1-liter project – to design a car that uses less than 1l/100km (282.5mpg imperial) – that started with the lozenge-shaped, tandem-seat 2003 1L and the later L1 of 2009. The XL1 actually beats that by sipping just 0.9 liters with CO2 emissions of 21g/km.