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

MINI celebrates 100 years of car production in Oxford

MINI will be celebrating a century of car production in Oxford on 28th March 2013, 100 years since the first Bullnose Morris Oxford was produced. It’s 100 years since the first Bullnose Morris Oxford rolled out on 28th March 1903, since when 11,655,000 cars have been built – with as many as 28,000 people employed in its heyday – and even Tiger Moth planes and Iron Lungs built alongside 80,000 repairs to Spitfires and Hurricanes during WWII. What is now MINI’s Plant Oxford was founded by William Morris – and Morris Motors kept control until 1952 – and has been owned and run by BMC, then British Motor Holdings (when Jaguar arrived), British Leyland (when Leyland Trucks, Triumph and Rover joined), nationalisation in the 1970s saw a variety of names, Rover Group arrived in 1986 and was subsequently privatised and sold in 1994 to BMW.

Alpina unveils B4 Bi-Turbo at Tokyo Motor Show

It didn't take long for German tuning house Alpina to debut its version of the new BMW 4-series, and they've chosen the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil the new model. Under the hood of the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo is a 3.0-liter straight-six engine with two turbochargers, making 410 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Alpina has tweaked the suspension a bit as well, installing their adaptive-sport suspension and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Saab 'to enter the WRC in 2012' with new 9-1

Saab is rumoured to be returning to rallying after a long hiatus. The new owners of Saab have reportedly been in negotiations with the organising body behind the World Rally Championship and hope to sign a deal to compete with their upcoming 9-1 small car.After the mass departure of many of the main players a few years ago, the WRC looked down and out. However, the 2012 season is shaping up to be a return to form.