Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

2014 Fiat 500 UK price and specs – costs from £10,160

The 2014 Fiat 500 arrives in the UK It’s hard to update a car that’s already a pastiche of an original, so Fiat has been very cautious with the updates for the Fiat 500 for 2014, although there are some welcome improvements. One modern change is the arrival of a 7″ TFT digital instrument display – standard on the 500S and 500 CULT and optional on 500 Lounge versions – which does a good job of mimicking the 500′s analogue instruments but with a central section that can be configured to display stuff like trip information and allows for more detailed information on everything from gear shifts to SatNav info (where specced). The biggest mechanical update comes with the arrival of a 104bhp version of the 0.9 litre TwinAir engine promising 0-62mph in 10 seconds (and it’ll feel a lot quicker) and official economy of 67.3mpg (you’ll get a lot less).

Nissan’s new lightweight philosophy revealed

The leaked official drawings of the new Nissan Micra might have revealed the conventional styling of the company’s new supermini, but they gave little clue to the dramatically lightweight new platform that underpins it. The new Micra will be significantly lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car due to a ruthless pursuit of weight reduction on the new V-platform (V = versatile), which on average has slashed 50kg from the new car's weight, and up to 70kg on some models. Project leader Noritaka Tsuru described the new package as a 'breakthrough car' that required a complete 'change in mentality' in how Nissan makes cars.

GM sued for not recalling nonpolice Chevrolet Impalas to fix spindle rods

General Motors has been sued by the owner of a Chevrolet Impala who claims the company recalled police versions of the sedan to fix a tire-wear issue but did not recall civilian Impalas for the same problem. According to the suit, filed in Detroit, GM issued a recall for police Impalas in 2008 for faulty spindle rods, which misaligned the rear wheels and led to premature tire wear. GM told dealers to replace the spindle rods, realign the rear wheels and replace the tires.