COMPETITION: Win £150 TomTom Via 135 GPS & more with Road this Christmas

In addition to us giving you a FREE daily blog, great social media pages and a monthly magazine, we've now drummed up two great Yuletide competition giveaways, with season's greetings from us from us at Road Magazine HQ and our pals at TomTom! Happy Christmas!

1. TomTom are running a great online competition - 'TomTom Gives You More,' with a chance to win amazing do-before-you-die driving adventures.
And, as its Christmas time, we'd like to offer you lucky readers an even better chance of winning – by giving you a personalised token enabling you to claim 250 FREE virtual credit coins in the game. Merry Christmas from TomTom and Road Magazine & Blog!

The fun game (highlighted by the "almost viral" video above) gives you the chance to “unwrap the world” and win one of six unforgettable driving adventures – including the Grand Alpine Tour and the South African Garden route. Plus, there are thousands of other prizes to be won every hour.

All you need to do to claim your free plays is enter the code Road_TomTom at www.tomtom.com/more to play. Good luck! Thanks TomTom!

2. How would you like to win a brand new TomTom Via 135 sat nav device, worth £149? We thought so...! 

The new TomTom Via 135 has a five-inch screen and features a new "Speak & Go" function, aiming to make the use of the SatNav safer, as drivers can control the device with just the sound of their voice, as well as making hands-free calls, helping them keep their hands on the wheel and focus on the road.
We've just been sent one on test and it's absolutely fabulous – with great design and build quality, intuitive SatNav menus and idiot-proof, crystal clear colour displays. And the new "Speak & Go" software works a treat. It's the best there is on the market, for under £150, we think.

The Via 135 features:
· Hands-free calling via Bluetooth
· Advanced lane guidance, giving drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions.
· Improved IQ Routes, which uses real travel information shared by millions of drivers to get the best routes and arrival times at every time of day.
· TomTom Map Share, which provides drivers with free daily map changes for life from the TomTom Map Share Community.
· Integrated mounting; a convenient foldaway mount that is integrated with the device, so it is always there when needed.
For further information on the ace product, please see here.
We can't recommend this superb system highly enough – and you could WIN it! 

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is:

1. Like us on Facebook here.

2. Like our publishers, Royle Media, on Facebook here &

3. Send us an email to proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk, with the correct answers to these questions below and why you should win, in less than 90 characters, Twitter style.

Hint: You will find the answers in our latest issue of FREE Road Magazine here:

Quiz questions:

1. What is the bhp figure of the Pikes Peak Lexus IS F CCS-R in the latest issue of Road Magazine?

2. Where did we drive the Lexus GS250 to in the latest issue of Road Magazine?

3. Who is advertising opposite our editorial in the latest issue of Road Magazine? Click on the hyperlink! 

The winner will be revealed here and on our social media in the new year.
10 minutes effort and you could win a fabulous, £149 SatNav from TomTom.
Have fun & good luck!

Oh, and Merry Christmas Roadies, from Team Road.

VIDEO: We Wish You a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

So, the end of 2012 draws near and there's only a couple of things to do – starting with thanking you ALL for reading FREE Road Magazine and Blog, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter, and to sign off for the year, with a traditional Christmas tune, sung by the cars and stars of the American Le Mans Series! Of course! Have a great festive season roadies. See you back here in early 2013, for more daily blogging, social media treats and of course, our ace monthly magazine via www.roadmagazine.co.uk (where you can access all 30+ FREE back issues over the festive period!).
But, before you log-off from Road... stay tuned today, as we'll be giving you the chance to win something awesome, as a final Merry Christmas wish!

NEWS: Lotus Evora 'Sports Racer' Updates

Lotus have been busy in 2012, despite all the confusion surrounding the brand and its future. They've released the Exige S, were a featured marque at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, opened a new flagship retail store in Regent Street, nailed third place in the F1 Drivers’ Championship and fourth in the F1 Constructors’ Championship and got another series win for a Lotus with an Evora GTC taking the MSA British Endurance Championship. Not bad!

And now they've updated the Evora – with a the new ‘Sports Racer.’ It's a visually enhanced and optimised version of the mid-engined 3.5 litre V6 sports car, available in both naturally-aspirated or supercharged variants, delivering "phenomenal performance, exclusive style, incredible excitement and genuine affordability!"
Essentially, what the 'Sports Racer' package means is a unique exterior colour scheme with an optimised interior to match, loaded 'Lotus’ ultimate specification' interior and better value, priced in the UK at £57,900 for the Evora with 280 PS or £65,900 for the 350 PS supercharged Evora S. So, for UK customers, the cost benefits are clear; by opting for the pre-packaged Evora ‘Sports Racer’ savings range from £6,450 to £7,150 respectively. Impressive.
Lotus expand on the detail:

"The Evora ‘Sports Racer’ is available in a choice of four colours: Aspen White, Carbon Grey, Nightfall Blue and Ardent Red. To stand out from the crowd, the ‘Sports Racer’ receives unique contrasting accents of gloss black across the roof, front splitter, rear diffuser and side sills, exaggerating the Evora’s aggressive stance and sleek silhouette. Further black elements include black rear badging, black door mirror pods and gloss black forged wheels with a choice of either red or black brake calipers which all work to give the ‘Sports Racer’ a more dramatic and focused appearance.
"Inside, the 2+2 seating option is standard and comes adorned with black leather ‘Premium Sports’ seats trimmed with red contrast piping and stitching. The dash, doors and centre console receive a liberal dose of Slate Grey SuedeTexTM with red contrast stitching, highlighting the car’s sporting character.
"Like your interiors a bit louder? Go for Venom Red leather ‘Premium Sports’ seats with black contrast piping and stitching. All Evora ‘Sport Racer’ interiors are complemented by gunmetal dashboard panels, as is standard in the Evora S.
"The Evora ‘Sports Racer’ comes loaded with optional extras as standard. The ‘Sports Pack’ provides switchable sports mode with sharper throttle response, increased rpm limit and sportier setting for Dynamic Performance Management (DPM), sports diffuser and cross-drilled brake discs. The ‘Tech Pack’ provides upgraded speakers and stereo system, DVD player, 7" WVGA touch screen display, Bluetooth® mobile phone connection, USB connection for various iPod® models, MP3 players and memory sticks, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control and rear parking sensors. This is topped of with electric power-fold mirrors and a reversing camera as standard."

Looking good for sales in 2013, or even Christmas?! 

VIDEO: "El Toro" R32 GT-R Skyline 1253PS!

Earlier this year we showed you Alex Keresztesi's amazing "El Toro" R32 GT-R Skyline on the dyno, knocking out over 700PS, on low boost. Now, it's run in and here it is being mapped on high boost – making an incredible 1253PS and an unreal 1429Nm torque. WOWZERS! Awesome! And watch the video right to the end to see the launch control map being added. Jees! That's a proper drag car! Love it.

COMPETITION: And the TomTom Handsfree Kit Winner is...

Congratulations to Stuart Staples – Road Magazine & Blog fan, Facebook liker and Twitter follower who has just won himself a fabulous, brand new, £80 Hands-Free Car Kit for his iPhone/smartphone for his efforts – offering the highest quality audio for loud and clear calls and navigation on the move, legally. And all Stuart did to win was like our Facebook page and sent in this winning story on speed cameras:

"Back in the day, when I'd landed my first sales job and company car, three of us decided to do some paperwork in the office on a Saturday morning. The office was near Chelmsford and the three of us left in our matching Ford Sierra's towards the A12. All of the cars were brand new (told you it was back in the day!) and we all rolled on to the A12 at the same time, one in each lane. You know what's coming, don't you? New company cars and an open road mean that it was pretty much guaranteed to have a head to head, so off we went towards London all building speed up and over 100mph! I know it was stupid, and I can't make excuses. So there we were three abreast in our red, blue and white Sierra's all neck and neck. We must have looked like Dagenham's version of the Red Arrows as we all got zapped by a handheld camera as we passed the bridge near Stock! Doh!
"A week or so later the summons came through, we all called one another to exchange tails of woe, but I was secretly kind of proud – as I had the highest measured speed! In those days the courts had the ability to give you a choice of longer ban and higher fine, or vice versa. I simply took a fortnights holiday, thanked the judge for his time and paid my £400 fine plus costs and walked out of the court knowing that I'd got away with it.....big time! Not sure that this story presents a safety conscious message, but I thought it was worth sharing and the image of three mates all neck and neck on the A12 still makes me smile to this day."Naughty... but nice Stuart!

So, what has Stuart won, thanks to Road Magazine and TomTom? Well, it's a fabulous bit of kit, featuring:
· Sound boost – An in-built 2 watt speaker means that drivers can hear hands-free calls and navigation instructions loud and clear.

· Extendable microphone – The microphone can be brought closer to the driver for clearer conversations.
· Noise and echo cancellation – Cancels out background noise so drivers can have even clearer conversations.
· Dual phone connection – Connects two phones simultaneously.
· Fast charging – Fast charges the driver’s phone on the go.
· Dual mounting system – Drivers can choose to mount their device on the dashboard or the windscreen. It includes a self-adhesive disc that allows use of the suction mount on the dash or centre console.
· Voice menu and spoken instructions – Drivers can connect their phone easily using the voice menu and spoken instructions. 

· Easy-reach answer and reject buttons – Answer and reject calls, even when the phone isn’t mounted.

NB: TomTom has also just revised and re-launched their iPhone app for speed cameras – available for free in the Apple app store. And find out more at their website and by reading our post here.

Look out for more great giveaways and competitions here on the blog and on Facebook and Twitter (@roadmagazine) in the new year folks.

Meantime, well done Stuart (and thanks for making us laugh) and thanks again to TomTom.

VIDEO: Bilstein Audi R8 Ring Racer

Fantastic film by top suspension gurus, Bilstein (a name synonymous with the Nurburgring Nordschleife) and one of the best looking, fastest, coolest race cars in the VLN Championship and ADAC 24-Hour, the Bilstein Audi R8. Love it!

NEWS: Conrad Grunewald Drift Update: 2013 Camaro Project

Our sideways star from the states, Conrad Grunewald, driver of the Hankook/Top 1 Oil Chevrolet Camaro in the USA Formula DRIFT Championships has just sent us this exciting update on his 2013 new car build. Bring it on! 

Conrad says: "Hi drift fans! I'm currently in North Carolina where my team is getting a new car built for the 2013 Formula DRIFT season. Working with B.R.E. Motorsports last year at Road Atlanta gave me an opportunity to see first-hand how much capability, knowledge and experience they have. From fabrication to engine building to paint and body, B.R.E. is one of very few independent tuning shops in the US that can build a competitive car from the ground up. Beyond the cars they build, their professional track support was also a huge help. So they were the obvious choice to build my new Camaro for 2013.

"We started off by having the stock chassis acid- dipped. This eliminated about 60 hours of tear-down time. It also reduced the weight of the car by 30 pounds before we started cutting out non-essential steel from the body. From there, we tig-welded a chromoly roll-cage, and the quality of the fabrication is the best I've ever seen. Next steps are adding the carbon fiber body panels, measuring the OMP seat and steering wheel for fitment, and getting the engine bay ready for placement of a Chevrolet Performance engine. I'm extremely pleased with B.R.E. Motorsports and their work on the car so far. Looking forward to planning some testing days with Ashley van Dyke once it's ready!"

And you will be able to read all about Conrad's new project here on the daily updated FREE Road blog (where we publish a FREE monthly magazine) and also with images and video on our Facebook page – why not LIKE us there? And follow us on Twitter too here. Thanks and seasons greeting everyone.

PS: If you like reading about Conrad and his drifting, why not check him out in our Road magazine FREE here too?

NEWS: M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 Concept Racer UK Debut @ Autosport

After highlight unveilings at both the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile and the LA Auto Show, the awesome Bentley Continental GT3 Concept Racer (being worked on by rallying's M-Sport) is set to star at the not so glamorous (but still most influential) stage that is the NEC in Birmingham – at the 2013 Autosport International exhibition, where it will make its UK debut.
Following the announcement of Bentley’s return to motorsport in the GT3 category, response to the Continental GT3 has been overwhelmingly positive with significant interest from numerous potential customers. With detail design now underway at Bentley’s new motorsport department at the factory in Crewe, the Continental GT3 is on schedule to make its first on-track appearance by the end of 2013.
To assist with the design of specialist components and offer focussed technical expertise during the development of the programme, Bentley is delighted to announce a technical partnership with M-Sport Ltd, whose credentials include the successful running of World Rally Programmes since 1997, including winning two Manufacturer’s World Rally Championships.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, comments: "Not only do we now have a world-beating operation in M-Sport as our new Technical Partner, but we have the honour of showing our Continental GT3 concept at Autosport International. The car continues to attract interest from around the globe, which is very encouraging as we progress the detail design. The whole team is looking forward to the exciting months ahead."
M-Sport will design and develop specialist components, together with design work and project organisation being undertaken in-house at Crewe. The company’s Dovenby Hall base in Cumbria complements the Crewe-based team and factory facilities, together creating an array of expertise and equipment that will help to ensure the development of a competitive GT3 racecar worthy of Bentley’s return to the racetrack.
Commenting on the new partnership, M-Sport’s Managing Director Malcolm Wilson remarks: "Joining forces with Bentley to help create the new Continental GT3 is a rare privilege. Bentley’s design and analysis work to-date has shown that the Continental GT road car can become an extremely competitive race car, and we are looking forward to capitalising on our extensive competition car development experience and success to help Bentley realise its goals."
Looks fantastic eh? Sure to steal the show at Autosport, even over the new Radical.
We can't wait to see it battle the likes of Spa and Nurburging, can you?
See more images here.

VIDEO: 2013 Polo R WRC Jari-Matti Latvala

Only a couple more days until we shut the Road office down for the year, and what better way to celebrate the Winter wonderland than looking to one of next years sure-to-be-star-cars, the VW Polo R WRC. VW back in world rallying. Great! And here's Jari-Matti Latvala showing off what it's capable of in the snow. How good does it look? How good is it going here? And better still, how good does that wastegate chatter sound? Awesome. Bring on WRC 2013.

NEWS: Final Lexus LFA Rolls Off Production Line

The 500th and last LFA in the production run – a white LFA Nürburgring Package – rolled off the line at the Motomachi Plant, Aichi Prefecture on December 14, 2012, looking ace and marking the end of production for Lexus very first supercar. The incredible 412PS, 480Nm, 200mph, 4.8-litre V10 Japanese beauty made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and loaded with technology has to be one of the cars of the year. And despite the fact only a lucky 500 will get to own and enjoy the LFA, fear not – as Lexus say they "are learning from LFA engineering to directly influence new Lexus products," and that "production knowledge of Carbon fibre components to be applied to future Lexus vehicles." That is great news.
As the final vehicle left the production line, LFA chief engineer, Haruhiko Tanahashi said: "I’ve lived and breathed supercars for the past decade. Specifically one supercar, LFA. Very few people have the opportunity we had to create a world-class supercar from a blank sheet of paper."
Production at LFA Works started exactly two years ago, on December 15, 2010, and included a team of around 170 hand-picked takumi workers involved in parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting. The LFA was produced at the rate of just one car per day.
Find out more about the LFA here  and read the latest Lexus special of Road Magazine FREE here.

VIDEO: Falken Drift Show @ VLN Nürburgring

Really nice film from Falken (who have done some amazing viral videos this year), from a place they know very well – the Nürburgring. But this video is not about their amazing Porsche GT3 R race car doing the business in the VLN, but the Falken Drift Show instead. Great PR. Great video. Great guys! Oh, and great tyres too...  find out more at www.falkentyres-uk.com.

VIDEO: Sideways Christmas

Feeling festive yet? If not, this might help... as BMW hit the right viral video note again (how good have their videos been this year?), as folk from the Zurich Acapella Group try and sing a classic Christmas carol, while a DTM race ace, Martin Tomczyk, chucks them about sideways in a 135i M. Nice.

VIDEO: Lancia Delta S4 Snow Test :-)

It was the ultimate Group B supercar rally car – KKK turbocharged, Volumex supercharged, 037 style space framed with unreal aerodynamics and dynamics – that sadly never got a full chance to shine, as the group was banned not long after its launch in 1985. But it did enough to catch Peugeot and their incredible 206 T16 (that saved the car company). Weighing just 890Kg and with 450bhp made it arguably the fastest, not to mention technically advanced rally car ever (making F1 cars of the era look Luddite). Here, to celebrate the car and the first snow fall of the year, is the Group B Lancia Delta S4´s first snow test in Lapland 1985 with WRC demi-god, Markku Alén, at the helm. Enjoy!

NEWS: New 175mph Radical RXC To Launch @ Autosport International

The brand-new, 175mph, 380bhp, 900KG Radical RXC will be launched at the 2013 Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham, January 10-13th. We would like to say it looks good, but this render (and colour) are awful! Sure the real thing will be nicer though! 

The new Radical Xtreme Coupe supercar – Radical’s first model with an enclosed cockpit – will be available for only £89,500+VAT for the first ten customers.

Radical already holds the production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – and the RXC is said to be "faster and more performance-focused than anything built in its sector before." .
It is powered by a 3.7-litre Ford V6 producing 380bhp and tips the scales at just 900kg, offering 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 175mph. A space frame chassis is coupled with an aggressive, Le Mans-styled body including a full-width, carbon bi-plane rear wing and gullwing doors.
Three-and-a-half years in the making, the RXC will be available in both road and race versions from summer 2013.
"In the history of Radical I don’t think I’ve been more excited about a new car than I am now with the RXC," said Phil Abbott, Radical Sportscars Managing Director. "It’s the car we’ve always wanted to make, and by applying our extensive knowledge and understanding we have produced a GT car that, just like our other products, will outperform machinery costing many times more. But more important than that, it’s going to be incredibly thrilling to drive."
Since the company’s formation in 1997, Radical Sportscars has sold over 1,600 cars. The world’s favourite racing car, the 800th Radical SR3 RS will join the new RXC on display at Autosport International, along with the 200th SR8 constructed at its Peterborough factory.
"Radical Sportscars is one of the real success stories of the British motorsport industry," said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director. "It’s a real market-defining manufacturer, continuing to evolve its product range and offering to customers, including track days and its own race series’ around the world. As the first enclosed Radical, the RXC is another example of this growth, I’m looking forward to seeing it launched."
The Radical RXC joins a host of sensational machinery on show at the NEC. Running alongside Autosport International in Hall 19, The Performance Car Show: Powered by www.pistonheads.com will feature a multi-million pound collection of exotic supercars and rare and historic models.
The likes of Lamborghini’s 700bhp, V12 Aventador, the fastest Ferrari ever built, the F12berlinetta, Audi R8 V10 Spyder and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will headline the stunning showcase, while local manufacturers Ariel Motor Company, Hawk Cars, GKD Sports Cars and MK Sports Cars will all exhibit their latest road and race models.
Tickets for the show are on sale now. Adult tickets are available from £31 and children’s tickets available from £20. For more information call 0844 581 1420 or visit www.autosportinternational.com.

You going? Looks like one not to be missed... 

VIDEO: Tsukuba Time Attack S15 In-Car

Just watch and admire how to handle Tsukuba properly. Epic awesomeness!

VIDEO: 200mph VW Golf!

We've all got different ways of passing the time of day and for Paul Panzer, it's ragging his unreal, big turbo VW Golf II  on the autobahn – hitting 200mph (321.7Km/h)! The beast is still only a two-litre, 16V as well. And it's on "low boost."Jeeeees!

NEWS: 2012: 25 Years of the Fabulous "Race Of Champions"

You know it's Christmas coming when the most fun motorsport event of the annual calendar – the Race of Champions – is here, with just three days before it all kicks off in Bangkok, Thailand, December 14-16th. And this year sees the epic event – pitting the world's greatest drivers from all motorsport disciplines against each other in a range of different cool vehicles, head to head, against the clock, becoming a knock-out competition – celebrate 25 years. Bravo! 

It all looks set to be a classic too, with 2011 King, Sebastian Ogier back to defend his title, and both Sebastian Vettel (also showing off the new Red Bull RB7 F1 car) and seven-times F1 champ, Michael Schumacher coming back to try and prove F1 drivers are quicker than rally boys (good luck with that!) and fight to the death, like they did last year. Classic! 

ROC cars this year include the Toyota GT86 (which should be sideways fun), VW Scirocco, Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo, Euro race car, ROC buggy, KTM X-Bow and also this year, the 500bhp Audi R8 LMS. All the pieces are in place for a gem. Well done ROC for 25 great years! Here's to a fabulous 2012 event and the next 25! 

Find out more on the ace ROC Facebook page and website, including where you can catch all the action on TV, buy last year's DVD as a Christmas present (hint, hint!), see all the previous winners, watch great videos, get all the news, get the freshest tweets and images and much more. Get involved...

VIDEO: Petter Solberg Quits WRC: Highlight Video.

So, Petter Solberg – legendary, smily, Norwegian WRC ace – is to quit the sport, for now! Sad news. But we can't wait to see what he ends up driving in 2013. We say... give the Nurburging 24-Hour a go, like Carlos Sainz has done since he retired Petter. You will love it! Or maybe some historic rallying? And we hope to see you back in a WRC car soon too.
Here's what Petter had to say about his retirement from WRC: "First off, I want to say thank you. You can't imagine the feeling I get seeing and reading all of your messages and support, both here and via multiple outlets around the web. Honestly I'm always so amazed by it. Especially now, it feels great.
The decision to withdraw from the WRC for 2013 after all of these years was not an easy one. The reality is that no matter how much we were hoping that there was a proper seat for us, it was made very apparent that there was not. At this point in my career, I had to make the call. I had to step away for now, and make a change. The main thing that I want you all to realize, is that my statements and actions should by no means be viewed as me retiring. This is my life, and I'm definitely ready and prepared for more time behind a wheel, and more success. With all of this being said, I also wanted to confirm that we are working on some very exciting plans for 2013, and I look forward to sharing that with you as soon as we're able. It's going to be a fun and competitive time for all of us. I promise you that! Thank you again. Never Give Up!"

Best of luck "Hollywood" – you're a superstar and we'll be keeping our readers abreast of your activities in 2013 whatever you do. Have a great Christmas dude! 

Meantime, to remind you all what a star Petter is, here's a highlight video to enjoy his WRC skills again... 

CHRISTMAS GIFTS: Couple of Christmas Crackers

Stuck for some Christmas present ideas for your mates, dad, brother or even need to drop some hints to your missus what you want? How about these two classics?
Driving to the in-laws on Boxing Day? Get there stress-free with a new sat nav! The TomTom VIA 130 (£129.99 from Halfords) has a "Speak & Go" function so you can control it with your voice – just say an address or 'take me home' and it plans the route straight away. Bluetooth enables you to make and answer calls safely whilst driving, and advance lane guidance gives clear directions when navigating difficult junctions. It uses travel info shared by millions of drivers to get the best routes and most accurate arrival times, whatever the time of day. Highly recommended. We just had one on test and can't fault it.
And, as you may have seen on TV, in a special Christmas promotion, TomTom is offering free maps for the lifetime of the product on selected devices – worth £79.99. You'll be able to download four brand new maps every year, totally free, meaning you receive all the latest updates to the road network, addresses and points of interest. Redemption is online with proof of purchase and the promotion runs until 24 December on all TomTom VIA and GO LIVE models.
Alternatively, the TomTom Start 60 (£169.99 from Halfords) boasts a 6" screen, their biggest yet. Resolution is really sharp, whilst larger menus and buttons make inputting even simpler. It can be mounted on the dashboard as well as the windscreen. Parking Assist helps you to find car parks at your destination and spoken street names make turnings clearer. It comes pre-loaded with maps of 45 countries across Europe. For further info visit www.tomtom.com
OR...
Buying a gift for a DIY enthusiast or someone who likes to 'tinker' under the bonnet? The Dremel 3000 Limited Edition Tool Box (£89.99 from dremel-direct.com and amazon.co.uk) is stuffed full of goodies. The Dremel 3000 multi-tool is essential for any project that involves cutting, grinding, sanding, routing, drilling and pretty much everything else. The tool box also includes 45 easy-to-change accessories plus six attachments such as a flexshaft for detailed work and a line & circle cutter. The combined value of the contents is £125, so this great gift saves nearly 30% on normal selling prices. Now there's no excuse for not getting down to all those repair and maintenance tasks in the New Year! For further info visit www.dremel.co.uk

PROMOTION: Online Shopping Offers Best Value For Car Parts

Our pals at Buy Parts (BuyCarParts.co.uk) kindly offer us top tips to save money on car expenses – by shopping online. 

They say: "It’s not a secret that having your own car involves increasing expenses, every month. These expenses refer, basically, to the maintenance of your car day by day – buying petrol, oil changes, servicing, tyres etc. Often, there is a necessity to change a part that has broken or, for some reason, has begun to malfunction. As far as the spare parts are concerned, it is almost impossible to predict the frequency and quantity of expenses and, as a consequence, this puts your wallet contents at risk.
So, we ask: “Is it possible to save money on spare parts for your car without any loss of their quality?”
The answer is yes! 

Access to the Internet helps us to find the answer – because nowadays you can find great deals at online car parts shops. These shops do differ significantly from the normal shops. Some skeptical people think it seems to be impossible to do shopping online, as you can’t see the product you are buying and, as a consequence, you can’t check the quantity, the size, and so on. Nevertheless, many online shops provide an accurate description (with images) of their goods: The manufacturer, the country of fabrication and more details beneath an image of the product.
Moreover, there are more benefits that online shops provide:
1. Comfort: There is no need to go out, looking for a spare part – travelling from one car shop to another. All you have to get you parts is access to the Internet, which is available almost everywhere; at home, in the library, at the University and, of course, at work. And in these online shops, it's possible to find quality spare parts, with top brands like Bosch, Beru, Sachs, Luk, Hella, Valeo, Febi Bilstein, TRW, Ate, K & N, Metzger, that are difficult to find in a normal car shop.
2. Quick shopping: One you opened the page of BuyCarParts.co.uk, the first step is to choose a car brand, then a car spare part and in two-three clicks, your part is in your shopping basket. You don't have to wait in long queues, ask a load of questions and waste time or money going out to get there. You can just click and find what you want in seconds.
3. Considerable savings: Very often the difference in price between a normal car shop and an online shop of car repairs exceeds 50%. The main explanation of this is that an online shop does not have to pay expensive overheads (like rent, wages, staff training, etc.) and does not have to include these expenses in the price of the goods. These savings are passed onto the customer online, meaning you get great value.
3. Wide variety of car brands: Online shops provide a great number and variety of car spare parts. In one click you have access to any spare part you need for your car. And at Buy Car Parts, you can always find the products for the brands of both national and international cars: Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Renault, Citroën, BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, Lancia, etc. The list is huge.

4. Payment system: To pay for the the part you've requested is so easy – just choose the form of payment, whether it be via your bank account, via PayPal system or in cash once you received your order. It's so simple.

Why go out in the cold, wasting time and money travelling, to buy more expensive car parts, when you can get fast, simple, easy, great quality parts online in half the time and, very often, half the price here.

MAGAZINE: Latest FREE Road Magazine: Luxurious Lexus

Open publication - Free publishing - More cars

In this month's FREE Road Magazine, we take a closer look at the "manufacturer of the decade" – Lexus – reviewing the brand new 2013 LS Range loaded with world first technology and featuring an all-new 460 F-Sport, test the outgoing GS250 V6 in advance of the all-new 2013 GS range UK launch, look in depth at the updated CT200h hybrid hatch & review the awesome Pikes Peak IS F CCS-R V8 muscle. The pursuit of perfection is here in abundance this month. Enjoy! And join us on Twitter (@roadmagazine) and Facebook to let us have your thoughts on the Lexus cars tested in this issue, and on our magazine & blog. Thanks, Team Road.

VIDEO: New Lexus GS - Heartbeat Challenge!

We've just had a close final look back at the out-going GS250 in full in the latest Lexus special of Road Magazine here. So, enter the all-new, facelifted 2013 GS model range, being given a proper run for it's money in this ace video, impressing potential clients – by getting their heart rate up and over 120bpm. Funny! And just how good does the new GS450h look in full oppo? We love the Jekyll & Hyde factor of Lexus Cars, do you?

VIDEO: Lexus CT 200h Kylie Minogue Advert

Sure most of you will have seen this, but who needs another excuse to enjoy Kylie looking sexy in a Lexus CT200h, as tested in full in the latest FREE Road Magazine? See the world's first full hybrid hatchback and read our POV on it here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

VIDEO: New 2013 Lexus LS 600h Launch Film

Take a closer look around the range-topping new 2013 LS, the incredible 600h. Amazing thing eh?
Read about some of its phenomenal world first technology and get the full range story, with 460, new 460 F-Sport and the 600h in our latest FREE issue of Road Magazine at:
http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

VIDEO: Lexus IS F CCS-R Conquers Pikes Peak

To back-up our packed Lexus special of Road Magazine this month, here's an edited video of the incredible, awesome-sounding V8 Lexus IS F CCS-R's historic first race with Ken Gushi at the helm at the amazing Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, from August 12th this year. Read the full story in the issue FREE here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_31_small

What a cool, cool car eh? 

NEWS: Italian Debut For McLaren 12C Spider

You can almost here the Ferrari rioters mumbling now – as the news has broken that McLaren will be showcasing their new 12C Spider in Italy, at the 37th edition of the Bologna Motor Show, taking place 5-9 December. 

The new 12C has been developed alongside the MP4-12C as a ‘pure McLaren’ – and includes a revised 625PS 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, carbon fibre MonoCell and a fully automatic two-piece Retractable Hard Top (RHT) that can be raised or lowered in less than 17 seconds and on the move up to 30 km/h. 

McLaren say: "As with the mechanically identical 12C, the 12C Spider is a mid-engine two-seat rear-drive high performance sports car. Unlike rivals, it uses a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the MonoCell. This confers major advantages in weight, strength and torsional rigidity – all improving handling, ride comfort and performance. The MonoCell is a unique one-piece moulded chassis that weighs just 75kgs (165lbs). It is 25 per cent stiffer than an equivalent all-metal structure and 25 per cent lighter than a comparable aluminium chassis (the difference with a steel chassis is even greater). It is also stronger and safer in a crash, acting as a safety survival cell, as it does in a Formula 1 car." 

And commenting on the Italian debut of the 12C Spider, Ado Fassina, Managing Director of McLaren Milan explained: "We are delighted to introduce such a prestigious sports car as the 12C Spider to the Italian market. It is a real satisfaction to see the McLaren range growing year after year, and we are confident that the introduction of new exciting models such as this, can reply to the needs of the fans in this exclusive sector."
Following the Bologna show, the 12C will be sold in Italy, in the face of Ferrari fans, only by Gruppo Fassina at McLaren Milan, located on Corse Sempione 34/2, 20154 Milano. Expect anti-McLaren riots there soon!