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

Drivers believe potholes 'are out of control'

MOST DRIVERS (67%) think the pothole problem in the UK is getting out of control and the government and councils are not doing enough to solve the problem. Research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has found 65% of female drivers and 69% of male drivers are very unhappy with the condition of the UK’s roads. The IAM cites a lack of communication between councils and drivers for this situation as a third (34% ) of drivers believe councils are reducing the amount they spend on road maintenance but 60% of drivers admit they don’t know if budgets are genuinely being cut.

BMW i3 EV WILL get BMW motorcycle engine as range extender

BMW’s head of R&D, Herbert Diess, has confirmed the BMW i3 EV will come with the option of a range extender engine. BMW’s head of R&D, Herbert Diess, has confirmed to Automotive News that when the i3 arrives in BMW showrooms at the end of 2013 it will be offered with a range extending engine as well as a pure EV. The range extender engine will be housed in the boot and is derived from a BMW motorcycle engine, and will turn the i3 from a small EV, useful only in confined city environs with a range of around 40 miles, in to a small runaround that has a range of 250 miles.

VAT-free Alto offer extended

YOUNG car buyers have some early festive cheer to celebrate, with the announcement that Suzuki has extended its ‘VAT-free’ offer on the cute Alto city car model until the end of the year. The deal effectively takes £1,200 off the list price of the entry-level Alto SZ. That makes the five-door runabout just £5,999 to buy, and with a low deposit of £779 it can be driven away for £99 per month.