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

Lotus appoints Mansory as official car customiser

Lotus appoints Mansory to customise their cars Lotus has teamed up with car customiser Mansory to create custom versions of its Exige, Elise and Evora. Car makers in the upper echelons have customers who want to make their car more individual than a regular options list can manage. So they either have their own in-house bespoke service – like Ferrari’s Tailor Made – or they appoint an official customiser.

Ownership costs of traditional versus alternative fuel vehicles

As gas prices remain high, and an increasing number of automakers roll out plug-in hybrid cars and full-electric vehicles, it's becoming easier to be tantalized with the idea of driving right past the gas station and simply "plugging in." The debate ensues when it comes to cost: These alternative fuel vehicles mean a larger outlay of cash at the onset, but the long-term fuel savings could make the purchase worthwhile. To help straighten out this numbers game, we use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts. For each scenario, we assumed that our hypothetical owner was able to get the full $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 state tax credit, such as is available in California.

Public service announcement: Cars and shaving don't mix

Consider this a cautionary tale: Take care of your personal grooming before you get behind the wheel. A Florida woman caused a two-vehicle wreck because she was shaving her bikini line rather than watching the road when she plowed into the back of a pickup truck at 45 mph. As if texting while driving wasn't perilous enough.