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Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider 1750 TBi and 2.0 JTDM (2010): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 17 May 2010 07:00 Alfa Romeo has fitted its new 200bhp 1750 TBi engine to the 2010 Brera coupé and Spider convertible ranges – alongside the 170bhp 2.0 JTDM diesel. We'd already seen both engines in the 159 compact executive model in 2009, but the new pair should broaden the appeal of Alfa's distinctive sports duo.Alfa's 1750 TBi: the tech lowdownThe TBi engine is a very zeitgeisty 1742cc four-cylinder, equipped with twin overhead cams running 16 valves, direct injection and turbocharging. This full book of tech is enough to liberate 200bhp and 236lb ft from just 1400rpm – not bad specific outputs for a 1.7.The new TBI engine will appeal to business drivers in particular, who will benefit from CO2 emissions of 189g/km in the Brera and 192g/km in the Spider.

McLaren reportedly at work on its next big thing

While we're getting ready for the soon-to-be-released McLaren MP4-12C, the British sports-car maker is at work on its next project. McLaren is aiming for a 2014 launch for a sports car that is larger than the MP4-12C, according to the Web site of the U.K.'s Autocar magazine. The magazine says McLaren is working with engineering firm Ricardo to develop a 5.0-liter engine that cranks out nearly 800 hp.

Spied on the street: Porsche Panamera

Yes, Porsche has given up several official photos of the Panamera sedan ahead of the car's expected official rollout at the Shanghai auto show in late April. That means prototypes on the road have stripped off the camouflage. But it's still interesting to see the car in a natural setting.