Standard Motor Products Lx104 Reluctor on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall Astra GTC gets new 1.6 litre ‘Whisper’ diesel – price from £22,260

The Vauxhall Astra GTC gets the new 1.6 litre CDTi Just like all major motor manufacturers, Vauxhall are busy improving their engine range with new, more efficient and more powerful lumps. One of Vauxhall’s major engine projects has been to get the old 1.7 litre CDTi out of its cars and replace it with their new ‘Whisper’ 1.6 litre CDTi. The first Vauxhall to get the new 1.6 CDTi was the Zafira Tourer in early 2013, and the latest is the Astra GTC.

Drive the Polo R WRC as VW Rally the World

Drive the Polo R WRC as VW Rally the World Volkswagen have already made the most of their entry in to the World Rally Championships this year with the Polo R WRC – apart from the fact it’s created a 4WD platform for the Polo/A1 in the process – with a street version of the Polo R WRC (although not in the UK). But VW’s adventure in to WRC with the Polo R hasn’t just been about a bit of product development and a spun-off road version – they’ve taken it very seriously. So seriously have VW taken WRC – and so well prepared were they – that Sebastian Ogier has already taken the 2013 drivers gong in WRC (from the previous – long term – incumbent Sebastian Loeb) with three races left, in his 315bhp, 4WD Polo R, and VW look set to take the team title too.

Mercedes Ener-G-Force: The shape of SUVs to come

The Mercedes Energ-G-Force, which will debut at the Los Angeles auto show, could be the shape of Mercedes SUVs to come--if you like it. “If people really like it and reaction is good then yeah, we might have to think of making it happen in reality,” said designer Huey Lee, who was part of the team that penned the Energ-G-Force at Mercedes' Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad, Calif. Metalcrafters built the carbon fiber composite roller you see here.