Dorman C133080 Intermediate Brake Cable on 2040-parts.com

Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Are McLaren planning to use Honda engines for F1 in 2014?

Back to the glory days for McLaren Honda? There is no real love lost between McLaren and Mercedes. Respect, certainly, but McLaren has done all it can to extricate itself from business dealings with the Germans, and the final step may be a partnership with Honda to supply new engines for the McLaren F1 team.

July 25: Plugging in while surfing

Went surfing, 33 miles away. 33 plus 33 is 66. Should have been within the range limits of the car but I used up nine kWhs on the first leg of mostly freeway driving, which suggests I wouldn't make it home.