Corvette 2 1/2 Exhaust Heat Riser Valve on 2040-parts.com

Council CCTV like 'Stasi surveillance'

COUNCILS rush to bankroll "Stasi surveillance" to target motorists but sack lollipop men and women as they do not swell their coffers, the Local Government Minister claimed. Brandon Lewis compared town halls' use of "CCTV spy cars" to the tactics of the secret police agency of the former East Germany, as he insisted they raise cash from parking fines on an "industrial scale". He added they target "hard-pressed parents" dropping off their children on the school run.

Citroen DS3 Cabrio to get Top Gear Live UK debut

The drop top version of the DS3 – the Citroen DS3 Cabrio – is to get its UK debut at this year’s Top Gear Live shows. Just as Fiat has with the 500, Citroen has given the DS3 Cabrio a folding roof that keeps pillars and roof rails in place so the DS3 Cabrio looks just like the regular DS3 with the roof up, saving weight and costs and keeping the very good looks of the DS3 intact. The DS3 Cabrio is due to go on sale in early 2013 – just in time for first customer deliveries in the spring – but ahead of the UK arrival of the Cabrio you can see Citroen’s appealing drop top at this year’s Top Gear Live shows.

Dacia Sandero Stepway: Price from £7,995

The third Dacia model for the UK – the Dacia Sandero Stepway – a rugged compact crossover based on the Sandero will cost from £7,995. The Sandero Stepway is a rugged compact crossover – with a higher ride height and bolted on chunky bits - based on the very inexpensive Sandero, so you won’t be shocked to learn that the Sandero Stepway is as inexpensive as its hatch sibling – from only £600 more than the equivalent trim Sandero. Dacia has decided that the Sandero Stepway won’t come in completely stripped-out Access trim – unlike the Sandero and Duster SUV – but the entry level will be the Sandero Stepway Ambience, with a better equipped Stepway Lauréate for those who want a few more home comforts.