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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.

BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics concept bound for Frankfurt

BMW has revealed a radical vision for its future performance-oriented models in a spectacularly styled concept car whose combination of M3-rivaling acceleration and Mini Cooper-beating fuel economy will likely make it one of the stars of this year's Frankfurt motor show. Called Vision EfficientDynamics, the one-off coupe is a mobile showcase for lightweight construction and plug-in hybrid drive technology, while featuring a variety of futuristic styling, packaging, aerodynamic, lighting and interior ideas under development at the German carmaker's heavily cloaked FIZ development center in Munich. Many of the concepts are planned for use on upcoming BMW road cars, including an exciting Z10 EfficientDynamics range-topping model due by 2015.

BMW 135is coupe and 135is convertible available for order

BMW announced that it will expand its 1-series lineup with the addition of the 2013 BMW 135is coupe and 135is convertible. The enthusiast-oriented 135is models will be powered by BMW's TwinPower 3.0-liter I6 engine that will produce 320 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque after factory tuning. That's a 20-hp and 17-lb-ft increase over the 2012 135i, but BMW claims that the vehicles will maintain both the fuel-economy and emissions ratings of the 135i.