Pair Of Polaris Pistons 2203988 on 2040-parts.com

Ford Focus RS has 1000 UK orders

By Nick Eaton Motor Industry 11 September 2008 16:05 Ford UK has confirmed its dealers have received more than 1000 orders for the new Focus RS, despite the rampant hot hatch having only been unveiled at the British motor show two months ago. By way of comparison, Ford UK only sold 2200 previous-generation Focus RS models in two whole years. According to Ford, 40 percent of customers have requested the Electric Green paint (pictured in CAR's exclusive photoshoot above), while Frozen White and Electric Blue have also been popular choices. There’s been no word on ASBO Orange just yet… As well as the choice of colour, punters can spec a Lux pack, a premium sat-nav system and leather, though we’d recommend sticking with the standard trim on the excellent Recaros.

Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance to feature French classics

The Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance will bring a selection of coachbuilt French cars to the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, Calif., on May 20. The concours will also celebrate Italian automobile designs from 1946 to 1975 and the 75th anniversary of the demise of Cord. The work of Joseph Figoni of Coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi will be well represented at the show.

MPs call for parking charge reports

COUNCILS should publish annual parking-charge reports to show where revenue comes from and where it is being used, MPs said today. The use of parking charges and fines specifically to raise revenue was "neither acceptable nor legal" said Louise Ellman, chairman of the House of Commons Transport Committee. Launching a report by her committee into local authority parking enforcement in England, Mrs Ellman said: "There is a deep-rooted public perception that parking enforcement is used as a cash cow, so it's essential that local authorities apply stringent transparency." The committee said local authorities in England had a collective parking surplus in the hundreds of millions of pounds, but that the exact amount was subject to debate.