Kia Picanto Strike Starter Motor 3610002560 on 2040-parts.com

UK Budget 2011: the outcome for motorists

UK chancellor George Osborne announced the 2011 budget today - which includes fuel duty cuts and changes to car tax that will affect every motorist in the land. 2011 Budget changes to fuel duty The Government will cut 1p in fuel duty, effective from 6.00pm tonight. Osborne said the fuel tax cut was designed to offset rising fuel prices, which have burdened every driver with higher bills. And the current inflation-linked 'fuel price escalator', established by the previous Government, has been abolished. Further fuel duty rises in line with inflation have been deferred until 1 January 2012. The planned 1 April 2012 fuel duty rise will be deferred to 1 August 2012.

Ram heavy-duty pickup gets higher towing rating

Ram has fired the latest salvo in the ongoing pickup war between the domestic automakers, releasing what the brand claims is now best-in-class towing capacity for its 2013 heavy-duty pickups. The 2013 Ram 3500 is rated to tow a 30,000-pound trailer, up from a maximum towing capacity of 22,750 pounds for the same vehicle and powertrain setup in 2012. According to their respective Web sites, similarly equipped heavy-duty 3500 pickups from General Motors are rated at a towing capacity of 23,100 pounds, while Ford's F-350 similarly equipped is rated at 22,800 pounds.

This day in Autoweek history: Driving across France in a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Today we relive a drive across France in the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth with Cynthia Claes. This potent four-door sedan offered rear-wheel drive, a Borg-Warner five-speed manual transmission and a claimed top speed of 150 mph from its turbocharged 2.0-liter, twin-cam four-cylinder engine. Introduced in 1986, the original Sierra saw 5,542 units constructed; 5,000 were needed for homologation in Class A rally competition, its original purpose.