MINI Paceman: First production car photo leaks

With the production version of the MINI Paceman due to debut at Paris 2012 we have the first leaked photo of MINI’s Evoque challenger. It could be argued that the Range Rover Evoque has created a new premium SUV niche all for itself, but that’s not going to stop MINI going after a piece of the action. So the MINI Paceman Concept from the 2011 Detroit Motor Show is going in to production as the stylish coupe version of the MINI Countryman, and MINI has been busy teasing it ahead of the Paris reveal.

Volvo is working on cordless charging for electric cars

Imagine not having to actually exit and plug in your electric car (assuming you have an electric car to plug in), and instead just parking it over a special parking spot. That's the promise of a new technology that Volvo is working on, and if taken to the mass market once made commercially viable, it means electric cars will be able to recharge just by sitting over a charger built into the parking spot's surface. That would certainly eliminate the need for those bulky upright chargers that are spreading around the country.

General Motors' MyLink rivals Ford's Sync infotainment system

General Motors is introducing a competitor to Ford's Sync infotainment system that will provide text messaging, e-mails, traffic advisories and other connected-car functions. The system, called Chevrolet MyLink, will let motorists link their smart phone and its functions--such as texting, calls, music or navigation--to the vehicle's voice recognition software, sound system and navigation screen. MyLink will be launched in the Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall.