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2012 Ford Focus to get 1.0 litre 3-pot Ecoboost engine

2012 Ford Focus to get 1.0 Litre Ecoboost 3-pot We’re getting used to car makers downsizing engines to cope with the ever increasing regulations on emissions and economy; v10s become V8s and V8s become V6s. And now we’re about to see a Ford Focus forsake its traditional 4-pot lump for a 1.0 litre 3-pot Ecoboost lump. Ford has revealed plans to offer the new Focus with their latest 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder Ecoboost engine, starting in 2012.

Honda Civic (2011) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the ninth generation of Honda’s small car star, which has gestated from trend setting (Civic Mk1 of 1972) to stylistically dull if technically advanced (most) to sci-fi-style wacko but technically mainstream (Civic Mk8). New Civics, over the years, have been about as easy to forecast as David Beckham’s next hairstyle as Honda engineers – never the most predictable bunch – veer from brave to bashful. The new Civic, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, is eye-catching although less off-centre than generation eight, and is closed basely mechanically on its predecessor.

GM repays Government loans – sort of

GM Loans repaid early - or are they? We can’t deny that GM are making a pretty good job of rising Phoenix-like from the ashes of their effective bankruptcy. A new focus on cars that are relevant for our times instead of a fixation with dated products and dated management has certainly helped.