Alfa Romeo 164 Brake Booster on 2040-parts.com

New Lexus IS UK debut

The 2013 Lexus IS – revealed at the Detroit Motor Show – gets its UK public debut at the Ideal Home Show at Earls Court. The Ideal Home Show may not seem the obvious place for Lexus to show the new IS, but Lexus are the headline motor sponsors for the event and you can’t argue with the footfall; footfall that is probably predominantly bang on the Lexus target demographic. And the target demographic for Lexus may be a bit surprised that the new IS is a chunk more dynamic looking than its predecessor, with statement looks – taking cues from the LF-CC Concept – that make the new IS a far more appealing prospect.

Mini Countryman JCW at 2012 Geneva motor show

This is the Mini Countryman John Cooper Works, set to be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva motor show. It’s the most powerful Mini so far, with 215bhp, and the first JCW product to boast four-wheel drive. Timed to coincide with much vaunted success in the World Rally Championship… Oh.

Volkswagen Jetta gets a small facelift – debuting at New York Auto Show

The VW Jetta gets a minor facelif It’s three years since the current VW Golf with a boot – the Volkswagen Jetta – arrived, so it’s time for a nip and a tuck to keep it relevant. Volkswagen are planning to roll out a facelift for the Jetta (above) at the New York Auto Show in a few days time and, although this is the North American version of the Jetta, the European tweaks will be much the same. That means an improvement in aerodynamics – by 10 per cent, say VW – with stop-start and low rolling resistance tyres to help economy too, a new nose with new grill, new bumpers and integrated fogs.