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

56% of drivers 'underestimated car expense'

MORE THAN half of people who have bought a second-hand car in the last two years have found it more expensive to run than they expected, according to a Government-backed body. Some 56% of motorists said that total cost, including maintenance, repairs, insurance and fuel had turned out to be higher than anticipated and one in five drivers (20%) have resorted to going into debt just to keep their vehicle on the road, the Money Advice Service (MAS) found. One in four (26%) of the 3,000 people surveyed who have bought a second-hand car since 2012 now has regrets about their purchase, with many of them saying they had not worked out whether it was really affordable or that the purchase price was too much in the first place.

2014 Mercedes S600 revealed: Detroit Auto Show

2014 Mercedes S600 (pictured) revealed at the Detroit Auto Show With the new Mercedes S Class now out in the wild, Mercedes is continuing to add new models and this – the 2014 Mercedes S 600 – is the pinnacle of S-Class motoring – for now, at least. The 2014 (or 2015 for the USA) Mercedes S Class comes exclusively in long wheelbase size and get a 6.0 litre V12 planted under its bonnet that delivers 516bhp and a mighty 612lb/ft of torque at just 1900rpm. As a range-topping S-Class designed primarily for those who wish to be driven, rather than drive, the S 600 comes lavishly equipped with everything from Magic Body Control and LED headlights to Driving Assistance Package Plus and a whole raft of electronic aids including Active Lane Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Brake Assist plus Cruise that can actually steer the big Merc. Options will include everything from Nigh Vision to an Executive Rear Seat Package.

Driven: Ford Mondeo wagon

But the design of this Mondeo is interesting because of this, not despite this. The core challenge for the Ford design team was how to balance delivering a distinctively engaging design with being acceptable to as much as possible of the broad target profile of potential buyer. This is perhaps the biggest unspoken challenge for today's vehicle designer.