New Wahler Thermostat, 273480 on 2040-parts.com

Jaguar XJ gets the Startech treatment

Startech make the Jaguar XJ in to a luxury mobile office The Jaguar XJ has been given a makeover by Startech – sister company to Brabus – with subtle styling changes, upgraded interior and business tools. We’re not the biggest fans of some of the overblown styling modifications inflicted on very good high-end cars by aftermarket tuners. But the work Startech – sister company to Brabus – has done on the Jaguar XJ is very subtle and very appealing.

Ford B-Max

A production version of the Ford B-Max mini-MPV will make its debut at next month's Geneva motor show – one year after the concept was announced. The production B-Max stays true to the 2011 concept, with the same lack of a B-pillar between the conventional front and sliding rear doors, which creates a 1,500mm aperture. We'll be interested to learn how this affects both weight and rigidity as well as how much real-world advantage it offers.

Renault Alpine A110-50

As we reported earlier this week, the Renault Alpine A110-50 prototype will be shown at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. Designed by Yann Jarsalle and Concept and Show Car Director Axel Breun the A110-50 effectively relaunches the historic Alpine brand despite being essentially a reworked version of the Renault-branded DeZir concept unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. As well as the addition of various Alpine design cues – the stylized yellow spot lamp pods, central hood flute and blue and orange colorway – the car is built on the platform of the RenaultSport Megane Trophy racecar and so therefore requires cooling provisions for its mid-mounted engine.