2004 Buick Lesabre Sunvisor Passenger Rh Tan Lighted/mirror 2497286 on 2040-parts.com

MINI One Convertible launched plus MINI range revisions

MINI has launched the MINI One Convertible It’s at least five minutes since MINI hurled yet another model at us, so with a New Year upon us they’ve obviously decided to see if they can outdo the new model every month they announced in 2009 with the launch of the MINI One Convertible and a bunch of changes across the range to kick off 2010. The MINI One Convertible is the new starting point for a soft-top MINI and gets the same oily bits as the MINI One – a 97bhp 1.6 litre with a top speed of 114mph and a 0-60mph of a leisurely 11.3 seconds. You can also opt for the new ‘Minimalism’ trim level – only available on the MINI One – in either 75bhp or 97bhp forms.

Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.

Detroit designs the future

Every time I walk into the College for Creative Studies here in Detroit, I am completely blown away by the students' talent level. Recently I went to CCS, as we call it around here, for the Michelin Challenge Design. You can see the work here.