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

Lagonda are back – Aston Martin revives the Lagonda Marque

Lagonda has a long history. Founded in 1899 and building its first car 10 years later, which makes 2009 Lagonda’s 100th birthday. A fitting time, perhaps, for a revival.

Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

Meet the Kia Soul EV and Niro hybrid concept

Kia revealed three electrified cars at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday, one concept and two that are headed for production. The Niro hybrid is Kia’s future take on a city car, while the Soul EV and new Optima hybrid will be out later this year. The Soul EV is the company’s main focus at the show, judging by our seven pages of press releases on it.