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

2013 European Car of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the European Car of the Year have been announced, a total of 5 finalists from a total of 34 nominees. It’s coming to the end of another year, so we’re going to be inundated with ‘Best Car of the Year’ awards for the next few weeks from all on sundry. Out of the gate today comes the final list for the European Car of the Year’ with a selection of eight cars (it was too close to call for the normal seven finalists) with the only real surprise perhaps being the inclusion of two French cars – the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208.

Saab 9-3 EV prototype revealed by NEVS

Saab 9-3 EV prototype revealed by NEVS When National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) bought what was left after the debacle of bankruptcy, the plan was to create a range of electric cars using the Saab brand. But that hasn’t gone to plan, even though the first electric Saab 9-3 Prototype has now been revealed. In fact, Saab under NEVS has also come close to bankruptcy recently as an unpaid supplier took court action (although NEVS say that little local difficulty has been solved) and NEVS had to resort to building ICE engined Saabs to keep a few bob coming in.

Frankfurt 2011: VW Nils EV Go-Kart Video

VW Nils revealed at Frankfurt There have been quite a few of these very small, go-kart-style urban commuter cars cropping up of late, but perhaps the Volkswagen Nils is the most promising. The most promising because if – and it’s a very big if – commuters take to the idea of a grown-up version of a soap-box Kart with an engine for getting to work, the VW Nils will possibly offer the best combination of practicality, refinement and cost. Yes, there’s the Audi Urban Concept to consider, but that will be more expensive (there’s a reason Audi makes VW 40% of its profits), so if commuters do actually find appeal in this route then the Nils is probably the front-runner.