Audi Q3 8u 2.0 Diesel Air Intake Pipe 2014 5n0129656 on 2040-parts.com

Nissan’s new lightweight philosophy revealed

The leaked official drawings of the new Nissan Micra might have revealed the conventional styling of the company’s new supermini, but they gave little clue to the dramatically lightweight new platform that underpins it. The new Micra will be significantly lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car due to a ruthless pursuit of weight reduction on the new V-platform (V = versatile), which on average has slashed 50kg from the new car's weight, and up to 70kg on some models. Project leader Noritaka Tsuru described the new package as a 'breakthrough car' that required a complete 'change in mentality' in how Nissan makes cars.

Car production up again in June

THE NUMBER OF CARS produced in the UK rose last month. A total of 136,419 vehicles were manufactured in June 2014 - a 3.7% rise on the figure for the same month last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The latest figures took the year-so-far total to 791,314 - a 3.5% increase on the January-June 2013 figure.

UK has more EV charging points than electric cars

The UK has more charging points than EVs Department for Transport figures say that there are now more charging points in the UK for electric cars than there are EVs. Yes, we have little time for electric cars as anything more than urban runarounds for those with enough spare cash to pay through the nose for inferior technology. And it’s becoming clear that the great British car buying public feel much the same.