Toyota Passo 2005 Hood [5810500] on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall launches powerful 1.0 petrol engine

OLD-FASHIONED 1.6-litre petrol engines in Vauxhall cars are about to be replaced by a clever new 1.0-litre alternative. The tiny newcomer has only three cylinders, but thanks to a turbocharger it coughs up more power and torque than many normal 1.6-litre equivalents. It’s set to debut in Vauxhall’s funky Adam supermini, although the new engine will be display-only when it emerges at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

One-off Porsche 911 Carrera 4S celebrates 5 million Facebook fans

Porsche has built a special 911 Carrera 4S (pictured) to celebrate 5 million Facebook Fans Car makers do like to get their Facebook fans to ‘design’ a car; it’s a good way of drawing fans in to the brand and give them an idea of what floats buyers’ boats. Some are not all that impressive, but the 911 Carrera 4S Porsche has built in celebration of getting 5 million fans on Facebook – designed with input from those fans – is actually quite understated. It comes in a quite fetching shade of Aqua Blue Metallic, a set of white 20″ alloys (a bit tacky), sports suspension and exhaust, an Aerokit with big back spoiler, personalised sill plates, brushed aluminium trim inside and a plaque telling the world this is a Porsche designed by 5 million Facebook fans.