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

Mercedes B-Class gets a facelift for 2015 – debuts at Paris Motor Show

The Mercedes B-Class facelift goes on sale today (12 Sep 2014) from £22,575 It seems only five minutes since the second generation Mercedes B-Class arrived, but it’s getting a bit of a facelift – with the emphasis on the ‘bit’ – for 2015, with the main focus being the arrival for the UK of the B-Class Electric Drive which, for many considering an EV from a premium maker, is perhaps a better option than the ‘statement’ BMW i3. Tesla had a big input on the B-Class ED’s electric gubbins, and the result is an electric B-Class that develops 177bhp (and 251lb/ft of torque), enough for a scoot to 62mph in 7.9 seconds (top speed is limited to 100mph). Range, in an ideal world, is 124 miles from the 16.6kWh lithium ion batteries – enough for most commutes.

Ken Block and his Ford Fiesta slide into Forza Motorsport 3

Rally and gymkhana driver Ken Block is torturing tires with a Ford Fiesta these days. So our Microsoft friends at Turn 10 Studios, makers of Forza Motorsport 3, have their version of Block and his rally Fiesta sliding their way around some open space and through the warehouse available for viewing. So here you go.

Audi A1 prices start at £13,145 in UK

Audi’s new A1 supermini has gone on UK sale today, priced from £13,145 for a 1.2 TFSI SE trim model to £18,280 for a range-topping 1.4 TFSI auto. That pitches the A1 slightly above the Mini, whose boggo First three-door kicks off at £12,620. But study the two rival supermini ranges from Audi and  BMW more closely and you’ll see they’re quite evenly matched.