Four Seasons 57338 A/c Compressor on 2040-parts.com

Mini to return to the WRC in 2011 with 4x4

Mini is back in rallying, more than 50 years after it ruled the roost at Monte Carlo and beyond, giving a huge shot in the arm to the World Rally Championship. In typically audacious style BMW has announced it will campaign the Countryman SUV rather than the standard Mini, starting with selected WRC rounds in 2011 followed by the entire 2012 season.It’s also a return to WRC for Banbury-based Prodrive, the outfit behind Subaru’s legendary WRC success, who will develop the car and run the team. Prodrive last campaigned in the 2008 season, and have been developing the Countryman since early 2009.

Peugeot SR1 concept

Well ahead its anticipated debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show, Peugeot has released renderings of the SR1, a new 2+1 concept which showcases the stylistic design direction of the brand's future models. The hardtop convertible concept car is said to embody the new world of Peugeot, reflected by the new Lion badge which adorns its sculpted hood. Designed to explore and reinterpret the 'Grand Touring car' theme, with a long, sculpted hood, flowing body panels made of carbon and a very low center of gravity, the aesthetic traits of the SR1 are claimed to renew Peugeot's strong stylistic identity and create a new design language.

Cost of garage labour falling

THE AVERAGE labour rate at both franchised and non-franchised garages has fallen compared to 2012, according to new figures. An annual survey of 12,000 cases conducted on behalf of Warranty Direct has concluded that the average labour rate in 2013 is £74.70, a fall of 9.84% from £82.86 in 2012. Less encouraging is the overall trend of rising labour rates, with the average having increased by 33% over the last ten years.