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

Stylish Mini Roadster Concept Wows The Crowds At Annual Design-Fest

MINI, the car maker more famous for its compact hatchbacks and growing range of family-orientated models, has surprised audiences at the traditional Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este design gathering with a new roadster concept. Called the Mini Superleggera Vision, its name is a nod to Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coachbuilding house based in Milan. Although a one-off, the car not only demonstrates the good work of one of Italy’s most renowned coachbuilders but, according to industry observers, could also hint at a possible future new model in the Mini line-up.

Chrysler and U.S. market expected to play key roles in Alfa's relaunch

The Chrysler Group will play a key role in plans to revive Fiat S.p.A.'s ailing Alfa brand. The U.S. automaker will build two new Alfa crossover models for sale in North America and Europe.

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.