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.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic introduced

Porsche has announced a Limited Edition Porsche 911 that will launch at Frankfurt - The Porsche 911 Sport Classic Porsche has plundered its history to build in to the 911 Sport Classic styling cues from the past. The Sport Classic gets a ‘Duck-Tail’ rear spoiler (thank you, 1973 Carrera RS 2.7) and ‘Fuchs-Style’ alloys (ditto – at least in terms of chronology).  You can also throw in to the mix a double-bubble roof (Carrera GT et al) and black surrounds to the headlights, which is evocative of the 1970s Porsche racers. So having thrown every design cue that fits from its history, what else does the 911 SC get?

Jaguar slashes prices – in Australia

Jaguar has slashed prices across its range in Australia – by as much as £40,000 – as it fights for a bigger market share. But there’s also a feeling that all those years of protectionist import tariffs have inured Australians to the high price of luxury cars, and that car makers take advantage of that by keeping prices high, regardless of the level of taxes imposed on their products. That means something like a Rolls Royce Phantom costs £650k and a Porsche 911 starts at £150k.