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Limited Edition MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman get Frozen Black Metallic Matt paint

MINI Paceman (pictured) with the new Frozen Black Matt paint job Matt paint finishes are not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but for those with deep pockets – buying expensive cars – they’ve been an option for a while. And now BMW are extending their Matte paint finishes to MINI, with limited editions of the MINI Countrymnan and MINI Paceman being offered with the special Frozen Black Metallic Matt paint job. The Matt paint – which is textured and shimmers – certainly gives the MINI a new look and will be available on MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper SD Countryman, MINI Cooper S Paceman, MINI Cooper SD Paceman, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.

New December 2008 issue on sale today

By Tim Pollard 29 October 2008 14:46 The new December 2008 issue of CAR Magazine goes on sale today – read on for a guided tour around the pick of our stories, drives and features. Edited highlights include: • CAR is first to drive new Merc SL65 Black Series• Big tests of new Ford Ka and Vauxhall Insignia • The definitive road test verdict on Ferrari’s California: 3000 words, ten pages• We ask the A-list industry chiefs how they’ll survive the crunch• Colin McRae’s tribute one year after his death• Bond special: CAR drives 007’s DBS on location• PLUS! The worst Bond cars ever• The Swiss graveyard for amazing cars• We gatecrash the new Bugatti Grand Sport launch• Mark Walton revisits the Bugatti Veyron supercar• Adventure 1: to Mongolia by Land Rover• Adventure 2: from Boston to California (the British ones) by Dodge Challenger• First drives of new Megane, Q7 V12, Infinitis, Cayman, Twingo, 500, 7-series, RS6• Life with our Lexus IS-F, Caterham, Kuga, Mini, C-class, Bentley Conti• Ferrari 250 GTO, a celebration.

Ford tests electric-vehicle sounds on Facebook

Sure, if it were up to us, every car would sound like a Lamborghini Aventador or a McLaren Formula One race car. And while those specific options aren't available (yet),Ford is using its Facebook page to let fans vote on sounds to be made by the electric Focus. Since EVs are so quiet, Ford needs to give the Focus electric some sound for safety's sake--to draw the attention of people who are blind people, those using cell phones or iPods and even for animals.