Mopar Chrysler Sb 318 340 360 Unplated Oil Pan on 2040-parts.com

BMW Alpina D3 BiTurbo – a great diesel

The BMW Alpina D3 BiTurbo - a brilliant, quick and economical everyday drive Alpina has turned out some stunning versions of the BMW range over the years (and some not so stunning – their 8 Series springs to mind) and they fill a gap that is either not profitable in small volume for BMW or, in some cases, a hole that BMW hasn’t plugged. And this one is a good hole to fill with the BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo, a 3 Series diesel with the heart of a hot hatch. Alpina has taken the engine out of the 1 Series 123d and given it a boost to 240bhp, in the process dropping the 0-60 time to a very creditable 6.9 seconds But it’s not the sprint that count,  but the way this peppy diesel unit delivers it.

Your roving reporter at the Paris motor show 2012

It's the Paris motor show international media day - and here's your chance to play sleuth at the world's busiest motor show. CAR reporter Ollie Kew is at the Mondial de l'Automobile and is at your beck and call. Send us your questions and Ollie will be you roving reporter on the ground.

Lexus Detroit Concept tease 2. Could this be an LFA derivative?

Lexus Detroit Concept tease 2 (click image for full size) Lexus has sent us the second teaser photo of a new concept showing a new design direction heading for the Detroit Auto Show. Last week Lexus came over all enigmatic and sent us a teaser photo of a concept car heading for the Detroit Auto Show in January which, they say, heralds a new design direction for Lexus. All we got was a tight front three-quarters shot of the new car showing a car which appeared to be dynamic and sporty, and with more than the odd design cue from the LFA.