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

Cost of garage labour falling

THE AVERAGE labour rate at both franchised and non-franchised garages has fallen compared to 2012, according to new figures. An annual survey of 12,000 cases conducted on behalf of Warranty Direct has concluded that the average labour rate in 2013 is £74.70, a fall of 9.84% from £82.86 in 2012. Less encouraging is the overall trend of rising labour rates, with the average having increased by 33% over the last ten years.

2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible: Last 26 RHD cars up for grabs

Saab 9-3 Convertible – Last 26 RHD cars up for grabs The last 26 RHD Saab 9-3 Convertible models – hand finished in Sweden – are now for sale in the UK from £22,750. Back in March – at the same time we reported the Saab Museum had re-opened – we were also able to report that ANA, the Saab dealers in Trollhatten, have bought up the part-made cars left on the Saab production line and were going to finish them off and put them up for sale. Fortunately for UK Saab lovers, 26 of those cars were RHD Saab 9-3 Convertibles - including the very last limited edition Saab 9-3 Independence – and they have now found their way to the UK and are up for grabs.

Hyundai Veloster Turbo gets 400bhp

Hyundai in the US has created a Veloster for this year’s SEMA show – the Hyundai Velocity – with a 400bhp Cosworth makeover. SEMA show cars are always extreme and always completely over the top, but they do show just what can be done with mainstream cars when car makers are let off the leash of marketing constraints. This year Hyundai is out playing, and as well as creating a Genesis Coupe with Cosworth power they’ve also taken the new Hyundai Veloster Turbo and created a 400bhp monster SEMA car.