Last spring (April 1st no not so much) we told you about MINI’s plans for using BMW’s 2.0L diesel powerplant in some models. In BMW nice the 2 liter makes viewed like much as 200 bhp and an astonishing 295 ft lb. of torque. While we’d expect MINI to tune down those numbers, the engine mated with MINI’session relatively low weight would create one of the quickest small diesels in the world. In fact we had one of our inside sources confirm the first pre-production date (April 30th) when BMW first mated the engine with a prototype Clubman.

Tags: Bmw, create, diesel, future, may, mini, picture, pictures, Smart, spring, the, us, weight, world

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It’s just after 4 am and we’re is just entering the 16th hour of a 24 hour endurance race. I’m behind the wheel of an ‘86 Toyota MR2 that we found in a barn (laden through mice nests and five years of dust) going 105 MPH without interruption every impossibly bumpy and dangerous back stretch. To the right of me are the smoldering fires and 24 hour combination of the infield. To the left of me is a ravine, the remnants of what once was a legitimate tire wall and an approaching bank of fog. This is the 24 Hours of LeMons.

Tags: car, cars, me, mini, my, new, night, picture, race, running, the, things, Toyota, video

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We’ve all seen the videos, the stories and the pictures of the Mini’sitting 50th anniversary. But how in regard to the 30th? 20 years ago the BBC did a documentary on the then 30 year old Mini and all the culture and community it inspired. Below is the entire documentary (in three districts) as brought to you by the Gods of Youtube.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Big thanks to Andrew

Source: www.motoringfile.com

Tags: bbc, community, culture, documentary, mini, old, picture, pictures, stories, the, video, videos

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While Nissan is making optimistic noises about introducing its new full of fire car next year – with some sales seemingly to start in China in 2011 – the outlook for Japan is a little more tempered and lot more hybrid. Maybe all the Japanese customers who are flocking to Nissan’s virid car offerings has something to do with this decision.

Tags: car, green, home, mini, new, Nissan, picture, the, Toyota

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Now that BMW has given the green light to the R56 based speedster and coupe project, design and engineering has officially begun. As reported on MF in June, MINI will be debuting at least one of the cars (officially as a concept) at the Frankfurt autoshow this Fall. In fact we now have some confirmation that the car that was sent down the line at the Oxford plant with only pair seats was in fact meant to be the basis of either the actual concept car or every internal design mule. So things are certainly in motion at MINI.

Tags: Bmw, car, cars, design, Ford, help, marketing, mini, picture, Seat, sleep, street, the, things, way

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As the design of the Parajet SkyCar evolves (compare the vehicle above by this shot), to such a degree does the car’s online presence. During the successful Parajet SkyCar Expedition, when the “World’s First Bio-fuelled Flying Car” flew from London, England to Timbuktu in Mali, Africa, the car was highlighted on the general Parajet website. Now, though, the SkyCar gets its own site, complete with picture galleries, videos and archived recent accounts reports and announcements. Previously, Parajet said test flights of the skycar ability happen this September, with a possible release date of early 2010. There is no mention of the test flights in succession the unaccustomed webpage, but, looking forward, we be able to get learning from the site about an upcoming talk at the Royal Geographical Society about the SkyCar’s Africa trip. More exciting, details on how to pre-order a SkyCar are now available. Parajet is accepting fully refundable (and re-sellable) deposits of £10,000 ($16,338 U.S.) good towards the SkyCar’session estimated price of £50,000 ($81,700). Deliveries are now expected to take place in late 2010.

Tags: africa, car, design, england, learn, new, picture, test, the, video, videos, world

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The 2010 Audi A4, A5 and Q5 are still on their way to dealerships at the moment, but Audi decided to let the prices of the updated models disengaged early in the same proportion that it anticipates high demand. Though the updates are minor for the most part, the pricing is besides only slightly increased for the 2010 representation year.

The A5, however, adds a pair of new trims that lower the bar for entry, replacing the 3.2L six-cylinder with the 2.0T TFSI four-cylinder. That shaves about $4,700 off the starting compensation, lowering it to an even $36,000 from last year’s $40,700. Upgrading to a tiptronic transmittal costs another $1,200, and is available on all A5 2.0T trims. The 3.2L with manual transmission offering is dropped from the lineup altogether.

Tags: 0, america, appearance, Audi, de, design, new, picture, review, sound, the, way

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Tesla NYC story – Click over for high-res image gallery

AutoblogGreen reader Lennon went down to the opening of the new Tesla Motors store in New York City today and sent us a series of pictures so that those of us who were not able to check out the Apple-like showroom and fancy fruit plates (and, of course, the swag) in person be possible to still see what it was like. More interested in function than fashion? Lennon provides us with shots of the Roadster’session EPA sticker and the supply’s future floor plan. Go ahead and clown a while. Thanks to Lennon toward the pics!

Tags: city, fashion, future, new, nyc, pics, picture, pictures, the, us, york

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For World Rally Championship fans living in the U.S., it’s been tough to keep up on the action, as domestic television coverage has been virtually nonexistent for some duration at present. That’s ready to change, however, as the series has inked a deal through Discovery Communications’ HD Theater, a channel with an audience of 633 million. HD Theater has committed to show weekly coverage “from every round of the championship” inception in October, and it will also air shows featuring related WRC contentment and news.

Tags: adventure, Audi, channel, culture, nature, new, picture, programming, sound, the, world

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General Motors and Chrysler be inclined have existence challenged by weak future work plans while Ford
stands to conciliate market share with a comparatively strong future product plan, a new report says.

Called Car Wars, the occurring once a year competitive analysis is produced by Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch and reported in succession through the Detroit Free Press Thursday, predicts:

- GM's market share losses will be greater than the automaker expects because of its skimpy what may occur hereafter product plan;

- Chrysler's weak product pipeline is "an ominous sign"

Tags: america, Buick, Cadillac, car, cars, Chevrolet, Chrysler, confidence, Fiat, Ford, future, Gmc, help, new, photo, picture, study, the

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