Fiat Spider Brake Calipers - Rear on 2040-parts.com

EU cuts Co2 Targets to help Euro car makers

In an astonishing outbreak of common sense, EU negotiators last night agreed a deal to ease the draconian Co2 targets for EU car manufacturers. Originally, EU car makers had to meet the new regulations by 2012, but have now won a concession to hit 65% of target by 2012, 75% by 2013, 80% by 2014 and 100% by 2015. This scaling back of the targets was achieved after Germany objected to the original proposals.

Alfa Romeo roadster to be twinned with Mazda MX-5

Mazda and Fiat today announced a new deal to develop future sports cars jointly. A new affordable Alfa Romeo roadster will be built - in Japan - from 2015. The non-binding memorandum of understanding covers the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda’s next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture, according to the statement issued this morning.

Hyundai ix-Metro Concept revealed

The Hyundai ix-Metro Concept will be previewd at Frankfurt (click image for bigger photo) We already know that Hyundai will be taking the new ix35 / Tucson ix to Frankfurt, and now comes news that Hyundai have produced a mini crossover concept – the Hyundai ixMetro Concept - which will be presented at Frankfurt and go in to production in 2011. The ix-Metro features a 1.0 litre, 3-pot, turbo, direct injection petrol hybrid which delivers a very impressive 125 bhp. But it also manages to emit just 80g/km CO2.