Melling Mrm1740 Rocker Arm Bolt on 2040-parts.com

Merc to revive straight six, plus 4cyl and smaller V8s

Mercedes has just signed off a new engine family which will see most full-sized Mercs in future run four-cylinders, downsized V8s and… straight sixes. A friendly Mercedes engineer recently met CAR to disclose the engine plans for future models, including the surprise disclosure that Merc plans to switch to straight sixes, like its rivals over in Munich.  It's fair to say I almost choked on my breakfast croissant when I found out the details of the next MB engine generation which has just been signed off for release in 2015. Mercedes' future four-cylinder engines Again, there will be a family of new low-cost fours, and the big-bore V8s will be replaced by a series of downsized turbocharged 4.0-litre units.

Hyundai Sonata revealed

The saucy new Hyundai Sonata was unveiled in South Korea this week, and it's poised to give the carmaker an upgrade in the ultracompetitive midsize-sedan segment when it hits the U.S. market in 2010. It's a dramatic departure from the current model, which is a solid if staid four-door.

Opel to show range-extending hybrid at Geneva motor show

Opel, General Motors' European unit, will unveil its vehicle that uses the range-extending powertrain first shown in the Chevrolet Volt, at the Geneva motor show in March. On Monday, Opel said that the car will be named Ampera. The Ampera will have four seats and five doors.