B&m Flexplate 10236 on 2040-parts.com

2013 Mazda3 MPS & revised Mazda 3 range prices

Mazda has revealed the 2013 Mazda3 MPS hot hatch and announced it is adding the Tamura and Venture to the standard range. The 2013 Mazda3 MPS gets some small titivations (although you do need to look quite hard – there’s even fewer changes than the regular 2012 Mazda3) with some new tail light graphics, a new gunmetal finish for the 18″ alloys and a black Mica finish for the trim at the bottom of the back bumper, door mirrors and inner roof spoiler. Fortunately, Mazda has kept the peppy 2.3 litre turbo petrol that offers 256bhp and can scuttle the little Mazda to 62mph in 6.1 seconds.

BMW M5 Competition Package (2013) first official pictures

BMW has updated the M5 super-saloon alongside the facelifted 5-series range. There are only tiny visual tweaks, but the big news is a new Competition Package version to take the fight to the new Mercedes E63 AMG S. What modifications do M5s fitted with the Competition Package get?

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.