Pontiac 389 2 Barrel Carburator on 2040-parts.com

World’s best-selling roadster returns

MAZDA has released details on the brand-new fourth generation MX-5, already the best selling roadster of all time. Launched simultaneously at events in Barcelona, Japan and the USA, the fourth-generation MX-5 is the first to benefit from Mazda’s SkyActiv efficient technology. That means a frugal but powerful petrol engine and a substantial weight saving of 100kg over the previous generation.

Alfa Romeo 4C on track with Giancarlo Fisichella (video)

Giancalrlo Fisichella takes the Alfa 4C round Balocco (pictured) The Alfa Romeo 4C – Alfa’s baby supercar – is due on sale next month following its UK dynamic debut at Goodwood, so to get a bit of adrenaline flowing in the veins of potential buyers, Fiat grabbed Ferrari test driver Giancarlo Fisichella and stuck him behind the wheel of the 4C to play at the Balocco test track, Fiat’s proving ground. And we have to say, the 4C doesn’t just look good, it sounds great and looks to be as light and nimble as expected. In many ways, the Alfa 4C is an Italian take on the Lotus Elise, but it manages to do it with a huge dose of Alfa flair, both in its design and its execution.

Design Contest: Interior Motives Awards 2011

Shortlisted entries have been announced for the 2011 Interior Motives Student Design Awards. After individual deliberation by our panel of renowned senior designers, students being tutored at colleges in a diverse range of countries including Israel, the Czech Republic, Australia, Taiwan, Canada and China, as well as in the established centres of Europe, the USA and Japan/Korea, have made the 68-strong shortlist of potential winners. Full details of this year's contenders can be viewed here.