Bel-ray 1-liter Friction Modified Thumper Racing 4t 10w-40 Engine Oil on 2040-parts.com

Cost of fuel has increased 50% in seven years

THE PRICE of fuel in the UK has increased by over 50% in just over seven years, according to a recent investigation. A study conducted on behalf of Asda Money indicates that the cost of fuel in the UK has risen from around 90p per litre at the start of 2006 to the current average of around £1.38. The Autumn Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer cancelled the proposed rise in fuel duty that was due to come into force on the first of January 2013, and which had already been postponed once, but UK motorists are still paying out at the pumps.

Storing classic concept cars is a huge hassle

If you see a dazzling concept car at an auto show this year, consider this: Somebody is going to have to find the space to park it and maintain it in a heritage collection, perhaps until the end of time. Preserving this year's hits as the museum pieces of the future is one of the great backroom issues of the auto industry. If you need to see the first wood-paneled Honda Civic Country station wagon from 1980 for some good reason, Honda has one in storage in Japan.

One lap of the web: A Lotus superbike, a track-only Z06 and a pair of M cars

Motorcycle News Lotus has licensed its name for this 200 HP superbike. Motorcycle News is reporting that Lotus, the beloved sportscar manufacturer that launched a thousand acronymic reliability jokes--"L.O.T.U.S, Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious"--has lent its name to a 200 HP, V-twin-powered superbike that is to be manufactured by a new company. While it does wear a lovely JPS-style livery, it's not clear where the lightness has been added or if it's been simplified.