2007 Mini Cooper Floor Center Console Gray 2359909 on 2040-parts.com

Mini Countryman (2010): first official pictures

This is the Mini Countryman, the fourth addition to Mini’s range – after the regular three-door hatch, the Convertible and the Clubman – and also the first current-generation Mini to have four-wheel drive and four regular passenger doors. No, Mini says the Countryman is a crossover, and the four-wheel drive system – called Mini All4 – is an option. Think of the Countryman as a slightly bigger and more practical Clubman with a longer wheelbase than other Minis, four proper doors and a conventional lift-up rear hatch, but to make sure it looks a bit more butch Mini has given the Countryman a bigger, bluffer nose than its siblings.

2012 Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance – courtesy of Bentley

Bentley was an integral part of the 2012 Concours of Elegance at Windsor Castle and have chronicled the event in pictures. Last weekend saw the Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance event in the Queen’s weekend back garden with cars from every year of Her Majesty’s reign gathered to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. Not surprisingly, a historic brand like Bentley was well represented, and Bentley made the effort to chronicle the event in pictures and have been kind enough to share them.

Concept Car of the Week: Autobianchi Runabout (1969)

The 850 was a very popular car for Fiat in the ‘60s, especially in its spider version with its cute design and compact proportions. When the time came to replace it, Fiat went back to Bertone, where chief designer Marcello Gandini was charged with designing its replacement. Not happy to simply recreate the 850, he began with a whole new layout by placing the engine directly in front of the rear axle for a mid-engined layout.