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

Lotus's glimmer of hope: Proton stands by Hethel

After another painful year of sales for Lotus in the UK – down 58% on 2011 - Norfolk's beleagured sports car brand has kicked off the New Year with the grand unveiling of its new flagship Malaysian showroom, and the thumbs-up from senior Proton company suits that Lotus isn't on its last legs. The announcement comes in the same week Lotus’s sales figures were released for 2012. Showing a substantial 58% decrease in sales and selling just 137 vehicles, Lotus Cars was the worst performer in the UK with a woeful 0.01% share of the market.  Are Lotus's Malaysian owners sticking by the company?

2014 Subaru WRX Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show – could be coming to the UK after all

The new Subaru WRX Concept) pictured is heading for Frankfurt and, it seems, the UK Subaru in the UK had decided that their future lay with eco cars, crossovers and other fluffy-bunny models instead of with budget supercars like the WRX. So when the next generation Subaru WRX arrived at the New York Auto Show in March it looked like it was tease for a car UK buyers could never own. But it looks like things have changed.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – now with Volvo’s R-Design spec. Price from £51,675

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid now get the R-Design option The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is already selling at such a rate that Volvo can’t keep up with demand, and now they’re making it even more difficult for themselves by launching an R-Design version. Volvo’s R-Design models add a range of tweaks to the regular range that add more visual purpose, but do so subtly and without too much fanfare. The R-Design version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is no different, with R-Design bumpers and grill, rear diffuser and 18″ Ixion alloys on the exterior and sports seats, sports pedals, sports floor mats and charcoal headlining on the interior giving the car a more focused appeal.