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

MG 3 arrives in the UK next month – price from £8399

All the UK models of the new MG 3 (pictured) will cost under £10k MG revealed the UK MG 3 back in June as their design centre in Birmingham, and it’s not a terrible looking thing – at least from some angle. But whether the relatively low tech and the implication that this is the rebirth of MG Motors will be enough to persuade UK buyers in remains in doubt. What will help is a relatively modest entry point, and the MG3 is starting at £8,399 when it goes on sale in the UK in September.

Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider 1750 TBi and 2.0 JTDM (2010): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 17 May 2010 07:00 Alfa Romeo has fitted its new 200bhp 1750 TBi engine to the 2010 Brera coupé and Spider convertible ranges – alongside the 170bhp 2.0 JTDM diesel. We'd already seen both engines in the 159 compact executive model in 2009, but the new pair should broaden the appeal of Alfa's distinctive sports duo.Alfa's 1750 TBi: the tech lowdownThe TBi engine is a very zeitgeisty 1742cc four-cylinder, equipped with twin overhead cams running 16 valves, direct injection and turbocharging. This full book of tech is enough to liberate 200bhp and 236lb ft from just 1400rpm – not bad specific outputs for a 1.7.The new TBI engine will appeal to business drivers in particular, who will benefit from CO2 emissions of 189g/km in the Brera and 192g/km in the Spider.

Chinese brands are narrowing the quality gap with foreign automakers

When it comes to vehicle quality, domestic Chinese brands are catching up to their global peers, according to the 2010 China Initial Quality Study published by J.D. Power and Associates. The consultancy found that the quality gap between domestic and foreign brands has reached its narrowest margin in the survey's 11-year history.