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

Aston Martin ditches Cygnet city car

CITY SLICKERS will no longer be able to cut a dash in a diminutive Aston Martin, following the company's decision to axe the controversial Cygnet from its range. The tiny Cygnet, which takes its name from a young swan, was an adaptation of the Toyota iQ, refitted with the finest luxury materials and priced at over £30,000. Its low CO2 output is rumoured to have been the main reason for the model’s presence in the range, since Aston Martin could in that way lower the company’s average CO2 output across the range in line with European emissions rules.

Alfa Romeo Milano – spy photo

The new Alfa Romeo Milano - snapped on a mobile 'phone and posted on Facebook And that’s the case with this picture of the new Alfa Romeo Milano, which has surfaced on the Interweb (on Facebook – I wonder if it was taken by the wife of the head of MI6?!) and lets you see just what the new Alfa Romeo Milano will look like. Obviously taken on a ‘phone, the quality isn’t great, but there’s more than enough detail to see what the car will offer. Taking design cues from the Alfa Romeo 8C (which did the Goodwood Hillclimb at the weekend), the Milano is more than a little reminiscent of the cracking Alfa super mini – the Alfa Romeo MiTo.

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.