Joes Racing Products 25675 Micro Sprint Sprocket Carrier on 2040-parts.com

Volvo confirms big production increase for V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo has been building around 150 V60 Plug-ins a week at its facility in Torslanda – alongside the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90 – but that is now set to be upped to 282 cars a week for the rest of 2013, with plans to build at least 10,000 in 2014. The fact is that the V60 is a very appealing estate car already, and bolting a plug-in hybrid setup has turned it in to a big hit in showrooms because the barking mad official economy and emissions system bestows the V60 plug-in with emissions of just 48g/km, making it a real no-brainer in countries where governments blindly tax cars based on their official emissions. That means countries like Holland, where Volvo has received more than 3,000 orders for the V60 Plug-in, and the UK are lapping up the hybrid offering from Volvo as a way to escape big taxes and still have a swift (0-62mph in 6.1 seconds), appealing and stylish car.

Smoking in cars to be banned

MPs in the House of Commons have voted in favour of amendment to the Children and Families Bill, thereby recommending a ban on smoking in cars when there are children present in England. The vote does not force the government to bring such a change into law, but has passed with a substantial majority and the recommendation is seen to have substantial public support. Labour calls for ban on in-car smoking with children Smoking in cars ‘breaks toxic limit’ During voting last night, 376 MPs supported the amendment, with 107 in opposition – giving the proposed ban a substantial 269-vote majority.

Configure your dream tuk-tuk

For at least a decade, potential tuk-tuk buyers have demanded an online tool for configuring electric tuk-tuks. Recently, a Dutch firm, the Tuk Tuk Factory, has released just such a tool at myetuk.com. The site allows you to choose between four body styles and a huge range of paint schemes.