Westar Automatic Transmission Mount P/n:em-8959 on 2040-parts.com

Smoking in cars to be banned

MPs in the House of Commons have voted in favour of amendment to the Children and Families Bill, thereby recommending a ban on smoking in cars when there are children present in England. The vote does not force the government to bring such a change into law, but has passed with a substantial majority and the recommendation is seen to have substantial public support. Labour calls for ban on in-car smoking with children Smoking in cars ‘breaks toxic limit’ During voting last night, 376 MPs supported the amendment, with 107 in opposition – giving the proposed ban a substantial 269-vote majority.

New Ford Focus ST is Europe’s best selling hot hatch.

The new Ford Focus ST has become the best selling hot hatch in Europe in the last three months, outselling the Golf GTi and Renault Megane Sport. But the new Focus ST finally went on sale last summer, and started arriving in Ford’s UK showrooms in the Autumn, as the ST finally hit Europe’s roads. At a starting price of £21,995, a more aggressive look and decent performance – 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – the new Focus ST is an appealing performance bargain, even if 250 horses through the front wheels is a big ask.

Audi: Electric Turbo, e-Gas & Intelligent Hybrids

Audi are developing new technologies to make cars more efficient including synthetic fuel, electric turbos and intelligent hybrids. Necessity is the mother of invention, and increasingly stringent CO2 emissions targets imposed by governments are making car makers ever more resourceful in their quest to cut emissions. The fact that CO2 emissions are not the bad guy – that’s NOx and particulate emissions – means the environmental benefits are not a panacea for a better climate, but benefits from new technology are nonetheless real.