Vintage Brass Boat Speedometer In Knots. Kenyon Instrument Co. Brewster, Ny on 2040-parts.com

Lexus CT200h (2011): UK prices, spec announced

Lexus has revealed prices for its new CT200h - and they're pretty punchy. The base CT200h clocks in at £23,485, rising to a startling £30,635 for the SE-L Premier. Lexus says it's the first sporty hybrid, but can the new CT really woo drivers out of their cheaper Audis and BMWs?  The CT200h is aimed squarely at the A3 and 1-series, but comes with just one drivetrain for now. The Lexus uses Prius hardware, so there's a 1.8-litre petrol mated to an electric motor to produce 134bhp - enough for the 1420kg CT200h to hit 62mph in 10.3sec.

Bloodhound 1000mph World Speed Record attempt goes carbon neutral. Piffle.

Richard Noble’s Bloodhound Land Speed Record attempt will now be carbon neutral thanks to sponsorship by Carbon Neutral Investments (CNI). People like Richard Noble – leader of the Bloodhound Project aiming to break the 1000mph land speed record – are made of the same stuff as Spitfire pilots and Biggles, with a gung-ho approach to the inherent dangers and an inability to contemplate failure; British Bulldog Spirit at its best. So it seems almost sad that a proper Boy’s Own adventure like the Bloodhound SSC – a 133,000bhp rocket and jet powered racing car – should bow to trendy PC sensibilities by announcing it’s a ‘Carbon Neutral’ project.

Ford B-Max goes in to production

The Ford B-Max – Ford’s long overdue replacement for the Fusion – has gone in to production in Romania before going on sale in Europe in September. The Ford B-Max is the long-awaited replacement for the very ancient Ford Fusion which finally, a year on from the B-Max Concept - arrived at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in production guise. Thankfully – because the B-Max concept as so convincing – Ford has managed to deliver a production B-Max that carries over almost all the features of the concept with just a few minor things – like more sensible wheels and proper door handles – marking the production B-Max out from the concept.