In addition to the just revealed 2008 JCW Mini Cooper S , we've also got some great shots below of the new 2008 JCW Mini Cooper Clubman S. It's the first time JCW's gotten a hold of the Clubman, and the photos look great -- better even the faux JCW Mini Cooper Clubman S we'd seen already. Unfortunately, we won't have a press release for a few more minutes so for the time being you'll just have to make do with the shots we've got below. All we can tell so far is it's got similar badging to the more-mini Mini.  read more »

Just in time for the Geneva Motor Show next month, the automaker all about the cars that are so small they're Mini has seen fit to release a bevy of shots and all the deets on their two big reveals for the show. The first is the official reveal of the John Cooper Works package for the 2008 Mini Cooper S . Other than the press shots we've got below, here's what we know about the up-powered Cooper S from a quick glance of the press release which we'll have up below the jump shortly. UPDATE: Full press release below the jump!  read more »

Stylish and powerful, the new Bentley Azure T is the world's most elegant convertible and destined to become a future classic. With unique Bentley 'T' styling cues reinforcing its sporting stance, the 500bhp Azure T delivers driver-focused performance with the ability to transport four adults in first-class, open-top luxury. The new Azure T, specified with the high performance version of Crewe's iconic 6 litre V8 engine, is the latest in a line of Bentley models to bear the 'T' legend. The 1996 Continental coupe was the first modern Bentley 'T', followed in 2002 by the Arnage T, both flagship models with a distinctive sporting character and thunderous performance. The Azure's already striking form is now enhanced by 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tyres, 'Le Mans' front wing vents, dark tint matrix grille and a sculpted, retractable Flying 'B' mascot. For the performance-oriented Azure T, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque an 11 per cent increase in power and a 14 per cent increase in torque over its 450bhp/875 Nm Azure stable mate. The famous Bentley wave of torque is even more prodigious than before and performance is significantly raised with a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 sec).  read more »

The new MINI Convertible will make its worldwide debut in January at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.Orders for the MINI Convertible are being taken now; the price for the MINI Cooper Convertible is $24,550 and for the MINI Cooper S Convertible $27,450, including the $650 destination and handling charge. Delivery of the first MINI Convertibles will begin on March 28, 2009. The new MINI Convertible's durable soft-top with integrated sliding roof function reliably protects driver and passengers from the elements when it is up. Allowing for spontaneous open-air motoring, the soft top lowers automatically in 15 seconds flat, even when the car is in motion up to 20 mph. The unique Openometer next to the tachometer challenges the driver to log as many top-down miles as possible by recording the hours spent open-air motoring.  read more »

We'd forgive you if you didn't know that anything would be happening at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show this year. We'd also forgive you if you didn't know there was a new 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner on the way. Finally, we'd forgive you if after looking at these photos of the 2009 Ford Escape/Mariner you were unable to differentiate the two from the 2008 Ford Escape/Mariner. Besides a slight adjustment to the front fascia and rear tire spoilers, the big change is under the hood where Ford's mini utes are getting a new, 2.5-liter four banger mated to a 6-speed transmission.  read more »

BMW, buoyed by a new line of small cars, threatens to end the 8-year reign of Toyota's Lexus as the leading US luxury brand.

BMW topped Lexus in July for the third time in 2008. BMW, the world's largest maker of luxury cars, trails Lexus by 3466 sales after 7 months, erasing 90% of the gap from the start of the year.

The US debut of the 1-Series car in March bolstered BMW's offerings with a model that gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway, blunting the effect of record gasoline prices that are sapping sales of big four-wheel-drives. Lexus has added only a sports car and a 4WD with 400 horsepower, V8 engines.  read more »

(from Mini press release) The new MINI Convertible * MINI Cooper S Convertible : Four-cylinder gasoline engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection. Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 172 hp at 5,500 rpm. Max torque: 177 lb-ft from 1,6005,000 rpm (192 lb-ft with Overboost). Acceleration 060mph: 7.0 sec Manual, 7.2 Automatic, Top speed: 138 mph Manual, 135 mph Automatic.  read more »

Rumor has it BMW is developing a new range of fuel-efficient city commuter cars and might use it as an opportunity to update the iconic Isetta microcars of the 1950s. According to Auto Express, the new eco-friendly lineup will be...


Chuck Squatriglia