Engine Timing Cover Dorman 635-804 on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin DB9 4WD Plug-in Hybrid revealed by Bosch (video)

Bosch has built a plug-in hybrid Aston Martin DB9 We’ve always believed one of the best uses for hybrid powertrains is to provide extra performance on high-end cars, something Bosh has demonstrated by fitting the Aston Martin DB9 with a hybrid setup. The hybrid DB9 hasn’t been built to preview a production hybrid DB9 (although it probably should) but to demonstrate what Bosch can do with an existing car. Aston Martin donated the DB9 to Bosch for the hybrid project, and Bosh has fitted the DB9 with three electric motors – one at each front wheel and one next to the Aston’s V12 – which gives the DB9 something in the region of an extra 250bhp to play with.

2013 Peugeot 208 GTi Limited Edition

Peugeot are producing a limited run of 29 special 208 GTi models to kick off sales of the new GTi – price £20,495. It’s hard to believe, but this week’s Paris Motor Show is actually the public debut of the production version of the new Peugeot 208GTi, following the actual 208 GTi reveal earlier this month Based on the 208 GTi Concept we saw at Geneva in the spring, the 2013 GTi is a car Peugeot hopes will cast a performance glow across the rest of the 208 range, just as the 205 GTi did in years gone by. To kick off sales of the new 208 GTi, Peugeot has revealed a Limited Edition version – catchily branded the 208 GTi Limited Edition – which will be available to buyers ahead of the first regular GTis.

Chinese brands are narrowing the quality gap with foreign automakers

When it comes to vehicle quality, domestic Chinese brands are catching up to their global peers, according to the 2010 China Initial Quality Study published by J.D. Power and Associates. The consultancy found that the quality gap between domestic and foreign brands has reached its narrowest margin in the survey's 11-year history.