New Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde gets Alfa 4C engine

The new Alfa Giulietta & MiTo Cloverleaf Heading for Geneva next week will be a pair of updated range-toppers from Alfa Romeo – the Alfa Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde and MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde – with the Giulietta the more interesting of the two. The engine in the new Alfa 4C is based on the engine in the current Alfa Giulietta, but now Alfa has decided the old 1750 TB engine in the Giulietta should make way for its new, lighter sibling from the 4C so the Giulietta will come with the same 1750 Turbo Petrol developing 237bhp and good for a 6.6 seconds 0-62mph sprint. Other tweaks for the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde include big tail pipes, 320mm Brembos, new bodykit, 18″ alloys, sports seats, leather and Alcantar trim, new instruments and a black roof.

Hyundai increasing European production to 500,000 a year

Hyundai are upping production in Europe to 500,000 per annum There’s an awful lot of sense in car makers designing and building cars for the markets they serve locally, and it’s a route Hyundai has followed in Europe, where the majority of their sales are of European built models, not imports. With Hyundai sales still growing despite the European car market meltdown, Hyundai are increasing capacity in Europe to keep up with demand with further investment in their plant in Ízmit, Turkey. Originally, the Ízmit plant produced just 60,000 cars a year, but in 2007 that was increased to 125,000 and now it is being increased to 200,000 so the new i10 can be built there as well as the latest i20.

BASF MySetta concept showcases industry-leading automotive applications

Project type advanced materials demonstrator Donor vehicle 1958 BMW Isetta 250 Project idea/co-ordinator Heidrun Goth Project co-ordinator Guido Gabriel BASF coatings/color designer Mark Gutjahr Project launched April 2013 Website www.basf.steron.com In January 2013, German chemicals giant BASF came up with the idea of building a bespoke vehicle to help demonstrate its industry-leading automotive applications – the MySetta. Starting with the iconic 1958 BMW Isetta 250 ‘bubble car', a team led by project co-ordinator Guido Gabriel modified the chassis, body and interior using BASF paints, fabrics and flexible foams. As well as showcasing BASF's automotive applications, the MySetta project demonstrates how they can be used to create striking fashion products such as shoes, coats and handbags; and accessories like a picnic hamper and portable stereo.