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Fiat-Chrysler: A match made for enthusiasts

The Fiat-Chrysler marriage means big love for auto enthusiasts in the United States. Here's a quick rundown on some of the Fiat hardware we got a chance to sample during a recent visit to the company's headquarters and test track in Italy. Fiat 500: With styling that makes it look like the spawn of a Volkswagen Beetle and a BMW Mini Cooper, the 500 does an Italian job on both competitors: It's cuter than a Beetle, and likely less expensive than a comparable Mini.

Call for reform over road repair funding

FUNDING patterns mean most road maintenance is being carried out in "less-efficient, cold and wet" times, a report from a Government spending watchdog has said. The current pattern of funding, combined with the need to spend money within the financial year, means that most maintenance work goes on between September and March, said the report from the National Audit Office (NAO). It went on: "Although this is less disruptive for road users, it is less efficient than carrying out the work at other times of year because materials can be more difficult to handle in cold and wet conditions, and daylight hours are shorter." The report went on: "As a result of the additional funding for emergency repairs, which is made available at the end of the financial year, almost all highways authorities need extra capacity from the market at the same time, which makes it less likely that they will get value for money." The NAO report said there was a "lack of predictability" over road spending adding that historically, local highway authorities spent more revenue on maintenance, but were now carrying out fewer routine activities such as clearing gullies which are essential to preventing water seeping into roads' sub-structure.

Ringo Starr's Facel Vega II heads to auction

A Facel Vega II originally owned by The Beatles’ drummer, Ringo Starr, is going to auction at Bonhams' The London Sale on 1 December 2013. It’s expected to sell for around £350,000. You probably have several questions already – including, what is a Facel Vega II, exactly?