Rota Wheel Center Cap Daytona on 2040-parts.com

New car sales still rising – April 2014 is 26th monthly improvement

The Ford Fiesta (pictured) is still the best-selling UK car in April 2014 It’s almost become a monthly ritual to roll out yet another rise in new car sales in the UK as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals the latest figures. And April 2014 is no different. In fact, it’s no different to the last 26 months, as that’s how long monthly figures for year on year sales have continued to rise.

Land Rover Defender Challenge by Bowler – the Defender goes rallying

The Land Rover Defender goes rallying (pictured) with Bowler modifications The venerable Land Rover Defender – now reaching the end of its shelf life – may not seem the perfect rally car. But a Defender tweaked and fettled with some Bowler Fairy Dust is another matter, and that’s exactly what’s happening with a new, one-make Defender Challenge by Bowler – and backed by Land Rover – which is aiming to put up to fifteen Defenders in to UK forest stage rallies and hill rallies in 2014. The Defender in question is a Defender 90 Hard Top with the usual 2.2 litre diesel, but sorted by Bowler to deliver 170bhp and 323lb/ft of torque (up from the regular 122bhp/266lb/ft) with a standard six-speed manual ‘box, MSA roll cage, fire extinguisher and Khumo tyres.

Bajaj RE60

Bajaj, the Indian manufacturer most famous for its two- and three-wheeled exploits, has now turned its attention to the automotive sector. The RE60 is the end result of a four-year development that first began with partner Renault-Nissan and the Lite concept, before moving solely in-house. The sub-400kg car is powered by a rear mounted engine and was conceived, originally, as a rival to the blighted Tata Nano.