Fiat 850 Spider Intake Manifold on 2040-parts.com

Poor quality diesel blamed for winter breakdowns

Thousands of drivers are risking a winter breakdown through being sold poor quality diesel fuel, the RAC has warned. All makes and models of car are at risk, says the breakdown recovery provider, with breakdowns proving more prevalent in eastern England and Scotland, and the greatest concentration of breakdowns occurring in the North East. Winter motoring guide Winter driving tips The organisation hasn’t yet found the root cause of the problem – so it is working with fuel retailers to work out what’s causing it.

MINI Paceman gets a (very slight) facelift: Beijing Motor Show

The 2014 MINI Paceman (pictured) gets a minor facelift Despite the all new MINI Hatch being revealed earlier this year, it’ll be a couple of years before the over-sized MINI Countryman gets replaced, which is why MINI recently revealed a facelift for the Countryman to keep it current. Logic says that if the Countryman is getting a facelift then so should its coupe sibling – the MINI Paceman – and MINI has duly obliged by revealing a very small series of updates for the 2014 / 2015 Paceman. In truth, this could be the last iteration of the Paceman we see as rumour has it MINI won’t be continuing with the Pacemena when the all new Countryman arrives in 2016, and they haven’t exactly gone overboard with the changes to the coupe Countryman either.

Ford Focus 1.0 litre Ecoboost arrives

The 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine arrives in the 2012 Ford Focus Ford has announced that the new Focus is now available with the 1.0 litre Ecoboost 3-cylinder engine in 100 PS and 125 PS options. Back in September, Ford revealed that it planned to install its new pocket-sized engine – the new 3-cylinder 1.0 litre Ecoboost – in to the new Ford Focus, giving the Focus the power of a naturally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol, but with improved economy and lower emissions. And now it’s arrived.