Barlow 2 Speed Self Tailing Winch on 2040-parts.com

VW Golf Bluemotion concept (2008): first pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 08 September 2008 13:22 This is Volkswagen’s cleanest Mk6 Golf, a Bluemotion concept car that is claimed to achieve 74mpg while puffing out a paltry 99g/km. Those are figures on a par with today’s Polo Bluemotion, but this concept will become production reality in mid-2009.  A 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine powers the new Golf Bluemotion, producing 104bhp and 184lb ft, but those remarkable figures are helped by revised ratios on the five-speed ‘box, optimised aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres. There’s also a particulate filter to keep the exhaust gases clean.

Citroën invites design ideas via Facebook

Citroën has launched a Facebook app calling for users to select design features for what it calls a special edition car, the first crowdsourced car in the UK. Rather than the genuinely design-led competitions we've seen recently from Renault (Twizy) and Citroën's own DS3, ‘You Like It, We Make It', offers six configurations such as exterior and interior color scheme, technology options like Bluetooth and SatNav, alloys, and the number of doors the vehicle has. The Citroeën C1 Connexion special edition will be kitted out with the most popular ideas and those participating via the app will be in with a chance of winning the car when it goes on sale later in the year.

ANALYSIS: The incredible shrinking Alfa stand at the Geneva motor show

When he talks, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne conveys high hopes that the Alfa Romeo brand soon will be a huge business success, but actions often speak louder than words. Fiat has massively reduced the size of the 100-year-old sporty brand's stand at the forthcoming Geneva show. In March, Alfa's stand will shrink to 639 square meters from this year's 979 square meters, which was the second-largest display space among Fiat Group's portfolio after the Fiat brand.