Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 Upper Unit on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall-designed Santa's sleigh (2009)

Vauxhall's version of Santa's sleigh – complete with Voltec plug-in hybrid tech By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 14 December 2009 20:11 Here's the Vauxhall take on the design project we've set them this Christmas: to design a Vauxhall-branded Santa's sleigh. The boffins at Vauxhall/Opel design HQ have come up with this – a development of the latest GM Europe form language with hints of new Astra here and Ampera plug-in hybrid there.Vauxhall officials claim their Christmas sleigh features specially adapted E-REV tech to ensure Santa has no range anxiety as he flies around the world on Christmas Eve. Very zeitgeisty.'Santa's pleased as punch because he doesn't need to worry about the methane emissions generated by the outgoing reindeers on his 2008 model,' said a spokesman, while munching mince pies and throwing Magna crackers on the log fire.

Aston gets ultra-quick paddleshift

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 28 September 2006 06:35 Aston Martin today unveils a new, Ferrari-style paddleshift transmission for the V8 Vantage. Dubbed Sportshift, the automated manual promises gearchanges in less than 200millisec, faster than you can swap cogs with the six-speed manual. Developed over the past 18 months with Magneti Marelli, the electro hydraulic six-speed box has numerous modes.

BMW, Mercedes consider return to 4-bangers in U.S. market

Facing stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States. BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Mercedes-Benz had four-cylinder engines on the 2005 C230 and SLK230 but dropped them in favor of six-cylinder models.