Beck/arnley 029-1042 Timing Belt Component Kit on 2040-parts.com

Alfa Brera & Alfa Spider get new engines and Italia Independent trim

The Alfa Brera & Alfa Spider get new engines and a new trim option Alfa Romeo introduced new engine options last year on the Alfa 159 – the 1750iTBi Petrol engine and the 2.0 litre JTDm diesel – which are now about to find their way in to the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider. Which is a far from bad move. The 1750i Turbo manages to deliver 200bhp and a decent amount of torque – 236lb/ft from only 1400rpm – which makes it distinctly brisk – 7.7 & 7.8 seconds respectively to 62 mph for the Brera and Spider.

VL Destino revealed - what became of the Fisker Karma

VL This is the new face of the Fisker Karma, the luxury plug-in hybrid whose parent company went to the wall last year. But it’s not only the Karma’s gap-toothed grin that’s disappeared: its plug-in hybrid powertrain has bitten the dust, too, replaced by a GM-sourced V8 – a supercharged lump boasting 638hp and 640lb ft. Called the VL Destino, the wilder Karma will be shown at this month’s North American International Auto Show, aka the Detroit Motor Show.

Nissan Juke Nismo RS arrives with added ‘Butch’: Los Angeles Auto Show

Nissan Juke Nismo RS arrives with added ‘Butch’ Compact SUVs and Crossovers are going the way the hatchback went; from sensible family transport to pseudo sports car. And Nissan are upping the ante once again with an even more aggressive version of the Juke Nismo – the Nissan Juke Nismo RS. The Juke Nismo RS gets a little extra power – up from 197bhp in the Nismo to 2012 bhp in the Nismo RS – which should be enough to get to 62mph in mid-7 seconds, and a choice of manual or CVT ‘box (but if you want 4WD you’ll have to have the mot very appealing CVT).