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

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.

Smart for-us

The latest addition to the Smart conceptual range is the for-us pickup, which follows on from the forspeed convertibe of Geneva, and the forvision hatchback that was unveiled Frankfurt, delivering another twist on the iconic city car platform. Despite the increase of size to 3547mm in length, traditional Smart iconography such as the tridon safety cell, three-spoke wheels and product-like execution – such as the inner lamp graphics – retain the brand identity. Squarer lamp and grille graphics and knobbly rocker surfacing add a twist of robustness.

Jag Land Rover factory closure ‘already decided'

Jaguar Land Rover management has already decided which UK factory to close – and the decision will be announced this autumn in 2010. The car making group, which manufactures around 250,000 cars a year, operates out of three UK sites: Castle Bromwich and Solihull near Birmingham, and Halewood near Liverpool. Those sorts of volumes are more normally associated with a single factory or, at a push, two.