Winters 2255c-p Steel 5x5 Rear Hub W/ Coarse Studs Platinum Imca Dirt on 2040-parts.com

Dacia 'to stay true to its budget roots'

The global marketing boss in charge of Dacia’s roll-out has promised that Renault’s budget brand won’t move upmarket. Many bargain car marques end up inching – or scrambling – upmarket, with slicker products, big price hikes and a desertion of their value promise. But Dacia promises it won't follow the likes of Skoda, Hyundai and Kia by starting cheap 'n' cheerful and then raising prices.

MP makes case for double summertime

ROAD SAFETY and tourism benefits are the key issues behind a debate on the end of putting the clocks back during the winter. Sir Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire, criticised the "flawed ritual of plunging the UK into darkness by mid-afternoon" and suggested a debate was required on making better use of daylight. The Tory said any examination should look at the benefits which would see the clocks run two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time during the summer.

Subaru Stella Plug-in Electric Car (EV)

The Subaru Stella Plug-in EV goes on sale in Japan today Not designed to be anything other than a city car, the Subaru Stella has a range of around 55 miles on a full charge of its Li-ion batteries, which can be charged in about five hours from a standard socket (or in 15 minutes from a quick-charge outlet), and a has top speed of 62mph – so it really is a city-only car. Based on Subaru’s existing Stella mini-car the Stella EV is powered by a 60bhp (47kw) electric motor that delivers 125lb/ft of torque from the off. It also incorporates a regeneration system that tops up the batteries during deceleration to help the range.