Toyota Allion 2003 A/c Compressor [4060700] on 2040-parts.com

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.

Tokyo Motor Show 2013 preview guide

Next week is a busy week in the world of international motor shows, as both the LA Motor Show 2013 and Tokyo Motor Show 2013 kick off with press days on 20-21 November. MSN Cars will on the ground at both shows – but here are the cars and concepts that already have us excited about the Tokyo event. The Tokyo Motor Show is Japan’s premier motoring salon, and is located at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre, 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo.

Jaguar F-Type lands in the lap of the 2013 Playboy Playmate of the Year

It does seem like Jaguar have decided that association of the F-Type with high-profile public faces is a good way to get the F-Type a few headlines, so we’ve had Lana del Rey singing her heart out in the F-Type cause, Damian Lewis acting his socks off for the F-Type’s Desire film and a plethora of faces associated with Jaguar’s Mille Miglia outing this year, where they’ve managed to get the F-Type front and centre and firmly bolted on to Jaguar’s Heritage outing. Now it’s the turn of Raquel Pomplun to raise the profile of the new F-Type a little higher, as Hugh Hefner has gifted her $100k and the use of an F-Type for a year as part of her prize for being crowned Playmate of the Year. Ms Pomplun may have preferred the F-Type as an outright gift – rather than a year long lease – but at least she’ll have the chance to parade round sunny California with the top down for 12 months.