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

Mobile phones set to be biggest roads killer

MOBILE PHONES are likely to be the number one cause of fatal collisions on the UK’s roads by 2015. The number of drivers making calls, texting and using social media while driving has risen dramatically, which has led Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin to propose doubling the number of penalty points added to a driver’s licence if caught using a mobile phone while at the wheel. Figures from the Department for Transport show there were 378 accidents in 2012 that were directly attributed to mobile phone use, with 17 deaths recorded as a result.

SEAT Altea Copa & Altea XL Copa Editions launched. Price from £16,425

The SEAT Altea Copa and Altea XL Copa Editions have been launched by SEAT with more equipment for no more money. The SEAT Altea has been with us for a very long time and is not quite as enticing as it once was as a sporty take on a compact MPV – based on the SEAT Leon with a higher roofline and slightly raised suspension  – so SEAT are launching the Altea Copa (and Altea XL Copa) to try and breathe a bit of life in to Altea sales. In the process of launching the Altea Copa, SEAT are also simplifying the Altea range a bit by dropping the ‘S Emocion trim along with the 1.4 litre 85 PS and 1.4 TSI litre 125 PS petrol engines, which leaves three engines to choose from in the Altea range - 1.2 TSI 105 PS, 1.6 TDI 105 PS, and 2.0 TDI 140 PS.

Nissan LEAF EV: Euro sales start – UK in September

The Nissan Leaf goes on sale in the UK in September We recently reported that the Nissan Leaf has exceeded all expectations after going on sale in Japan and the US, managing to acquire 19,000 orders in the briefest of time – twice the planned annual rate of production. We half expected that news – great though it is for Nissan – to delay the launch of the Nissan Leaf in Europe. After all, if you’ve already taken orders for twice as many cars as you can produce in the first year you’d think you’d get production ramped up before you start taking more orders.