1965 Buick Wildcat Single Exhaust System, Aluminized Without Resonator on 2040-parts.com

UK new car registrations beat 2012 total – a month early

New car registrations rose by 7% last month, the best performance in almost a decade – and a rise that has seen the total registrations for 2012 already beaten with a month still to go. 159,581 new cars were registered last month, taking the year to date total up to 2,111,819. This easily tops the 2,044,609 new cars registered in 2012.

Mini Clubvan (2012) first official pictures

Mini's relentless push to retro-ify all our lives has brought about the seventh model in its range: the new 2012 Mini Clubvan. Essentially a van-spec version of the curious Clubman small estate, it's aimed at small businesses and fans of outdoor hobbies with cumbersome, expensive equipment, says Mini. It's a production version of the concept seen at the 2012 Geneva motor show.

Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying – Hamilton beaten to pole by Rosberg

Rosberg takes pole in Belgium in the rain Formula One is back from its summer break, but normal service has resumed with Mercedes taking a one-two at Spa in qualifying for the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, but it’s Nico Rosberg on pole, beating Lewis Hamilton in to second place. The two Mercedes were in a league of their own – two seconds ahead of the best of the rest – as torrential rain made the Spa circuit teachorous. Hamilton’s qualifying was patchy – - and a bit erratic – and he also had problems with glazed discs pulling his car to the left, but Rosberg was consistent – and quick – and deserved his pole.