1998 Chevy Camaro Automatic Transmission 2495951 on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall Astra (2009): the first sketches

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 08 September 2008 09:00 Vauxhall has just issued these first official sketches of the new Astra ahead of its launch in 2009 at next year's Frankfurt motor show. Although heavily silhouetted, we can make out an evolution of today's mid-sized hatchback. This sketch is of the coupe-style three-door Astra, but there will again be a more upright five-door and indeed a whole suite of other Astras to fit every pocket.

Nissan ‘Think Outside the Parking Box’ competition

Nissan, in collaboration with designboom, has launched an international graphic design competition with a theme to design the future of urban parking. Entitled 'Think Outside the Parking Box', registration to the competition is open to professionals, students, and design enthusiasts until September 27th, 2009. Based around Nissan's Qashqai urban crossover - currently marketed as being 'urbanproof' - the brief calls for entries that challenge any element of urban parking, be it underground, exterior, interior, multi-layer or ground level.

Alfa Brera & Alfa Spider get new engines and Italia Independent trim

The Alfa Brera & Alfa Spider get new engines and a new trim option Alfa Romeo introduced new engine options last year on the Alfa 159 – the 1750iTBi Petrol engine and the 2.0 litre JTDm diesel – which are now about to find their way in to the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider. Which is a far from bad move. The 1750i Turbo manages to deliver 200bhp and a decent amount of torque – 236lb/ft from only 1400rpm – which makes it distinctly brisk – 7.7 & 7.8 seconds respectively to 62 mph for the Brera and Spider.