1982 Kawasaki 440 Ltd 440d Front Brake Caliper K7 on 2040-parts.com

Drive the Polo R WRC as VW Rally the World

Drive the Polo R WRC as VW Rally the World Volkswagen have already made the most of their entry in to the World Rally Championships this year with the Polo R WRC – apart from the fact it’s created a 4WD platform for the Polo/A1 in the process – with a street version of the Polo R WRC (although not in the UK). But VW’s adventure in to WRC with the Polo R hasn’t just been about a bit of product development and a spun-off road version – they’ve taken it very seriously. So seriously have VW taken WRC – and so well prepared were they – that Sebastian Ogier has already taken the 2013 drivers gong in WRC (from the previous – long term – incumbent Sebastian Loeb) with three races left, in his 315bhp, 4WD Polo R, and VW look set to take the team title too.

2013 Peugeot RCZ facelift priced from £21,595

The facelift for the Peugeot RCZ – revealed at the Paris Motor Show – will cost from £21,595 when it arrives in January 2013. The main change for the RCZ is the loss of the old ‘big gob’ Peugeot nose, to be replaced by a much more appealing front that fits in with the rest of Peugeot’s current crop of cars, complete with LED running lights, new grill and headlights and a bigger air intake with chrome bars. As well as the more obvious changes to the exterior, the RCZ gets some minor interior tweaks, with the Sport spec getting auto lights and option of half leather and leather/Alcantara. The GT spec RCZ gets a few more changes including 19″‘Technical’ alloys, interior sports kit, new interior colours, the option of matt black roof arches, new body transfer decals and more alloy choices.

AAA unveils battery-charging trucks for stranded EVs

The American Automobile Association has unveiled an example of its new roadside-assistance truck, which is capable of recharging batteries for stranded drivers of electric vehicles. AAA first announced the plan in June, and the first truck was shown on Monday at the Plug-In 2011 electric-vehicle conference in Raleigh, N.C. It uses Green Charge Networks technology and has a removable lithium-ion battery pack that allows for mobile charging.