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

UK electric car sales hit record high

While electric cars may not have taken off as quickly as the likes of Renault and Nissan had hoped, the latest figures from the government’s £5,000 electric car grant scheme show that sales have leapt 25% in the last quarter. A total of 1,149 electric cars were registered in Q3, not only a 25% improvement over Q2, but the most successful quarter since the government scheme began back in January 2011, indicating that consumers are starting to understand the technology and its limitations rather better. On Bing: see pictures of electric cars in the UK Find out how much an electric car costs on Auto Trader This news comes as the Renault-Nissan alliance has been forced to admit it is not going to reach its self-imposed target of 1.5 million electric car sales by 2016.

Ford prices new 2012 Focus ST from £21,995

Ford has confirmed prices for the new Focus ST. The new 247bhp hot hatch will cost from £21,995 for the hatchback, or £23,095 for the Focus ST estate. That undercuts the VW Golf GTI, which has bumped up in price in recent years to a stout £25,330 despite having a more modest 207bhp. It also makes it better value than the £26,995 Vauxhall Astra VXR and Renaultsport Megane RS 265 at £24,840.

Who's Where: David Hilton appointed Head of Exterior Design for Bentley

David Hilton has been appointed Head of Exterior Design for Bentley Motors, based in the UK. The super-luxury brand – owned by the Volkswagen Group – is headed by CEO Wolfgang Durheimer, who is also in charge of Bugatti design development. US-born Hilton replaces Raul Pires in Crewe, Cheshire, after he left Bentley at the end of 2011 to join VW-owned Italdesign.