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

Alfa Romeo MiTo gets a bit of a facelift for 2014 & more powerful TwinAir

The 2014 MY Alfa MiTo (pictured) get small tweaks and a more powerful TwinAir engine. We like the Alfa Romeo MiTo; it’s an underrated car and should be higher on most buyers’ wish lists. What we also like is that the MiTo has the fun little 875cc TwinAir engine as an option, which works pretty well, makes a good noise and promises stunning economy.

Center stack is new high-stakes battleground; showdown with safety regulators looms

For auto suppliers and gadget companies eager to get a piece of the auto industry, the hottest chunk of vehicle real estate now is the center stack. That corridor of interior space, running from the driver's right hip up through the center of the cockpit to the bottom of the windshield, has become a California gold rush of opportunity. But it is less so for traditional suppliers of molded plastics, cables, levers, buttons and radios.

Subaru XV Black Limited Edition: Costs from £24,495

The Subaru XV Black Limited Edition Subaru launched their XV SUV – basically a high-riding Crossover Impreza – back in 2012, and it was a decent offering. But by this summer they were looking to add a bit more fizz to sales and decided there was room to make substantial cuts in the list price of the XV, taking it down by a significant £2300 right across the range. Now, with prices cut back and the XV starting from £18,995, it seems Subaru has decided it’s time to shift some more expensive metal, so we’ve got the Subaru XV Black Limited Edition which adds more kit and style and starts at £24,495.