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

How VW's XL1 will make your next Golf lighter, faster and more frugal

VW will only build 250 examples of the XL1, its super-streamlined two-seater than scores a combined 314mpg thanks to its plug-in hybrid diesel engine, lightweight construction and low-drag design. Each punter will have to put up around €100,000 for the privilege of saving money on fuel – but don’t worry, because every car across the VW Group will benefit from the lessons learned, all by 2020. Is my next VW likely to be a hybrid?

Bypass booster seats with travel vest

Sick of moving that booster seat from car to car whenever your child heads to grandma's? A new product, the Ride-Safer travel vest, claims it can remove the booster seat from your life altogether. Like a booster seat, the purpose of the Ride-Safer vest is to position the lap and shoulder portions of a seatbelt in a way that optimizes safety for child-size passengers.

‘Selfie’ drivers risking their lives

ONE IN 14 drivers admits taking a ‘selfie’ photo on their mobile phone while driving, despite official figures showing that one in ten (9%) of drivers have had an accident while using the phone at the wheel. Young drivers are the most likely to use their mobile phone to take a selfie, which is a picture of the phone user taken by themselves. A further one on 20 drivers also owns up to using a social media app on their smartphone while driving to send photos they have just taken friends.