9705 -- Chicago Rawhide -- Oil Seal on 2040-parts.com

MINI Paceman Adventure Concept – it’s a Countryman Pickup

It’s a MINI Pickup – the MINI Paceman Adventure It’s always hard to decide if a MINI concept – and they’re not exactly as rare as hens teeth – is a real one-off or a pointer to a future production MINI. A good example of that is MINI’s April Fool in 2012 for ‘Camping MINIs’ which turned in to a fully-blown official concept in 2013 as the MINI Clubvan Camper, Countryman All4 Camp & Cowley Caravan. Now we get the MINI Paceman Adventure Concept, a pickup based on the Pacemena (itself based on the Countryman) put together by BMW students and instructors at plants in Munich and Dingolfing and built as an exercise to show the skills and talent of the apprentice programme.

2015 VW Jetta makes global debut at New York auto show

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta is making its global debut at the New York auto show, and the changes for the new model year -- while not exactly breathtaking -- should help VW's volume-seller keep up with the competition. That includes the likes of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze and 2015 Ford Focus, which are also showing off refreshes in the Big Apple. To start, VW says the mildly redesigned front fascia reduces drag (and gives a “wider and more substantial look” to boot!) with a new bumper and air intakes.

Honda plans gasoline engine for the CR-Z

Honda is set to provide the CR-Z with an all-new four-cylinder gasoline-engine option as part of plans to broaden the compact coupe's appeal in key world markets, including North America. Currently available with just one engine option—a gasoline-electric hybrid system that mates a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a brushless electric motor—the CR-Z is also earmarked to receive a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine currently undergoing development in Japan. The new unit, which is also planned for the Jazz, the Civic and the Accord, forms an integral part of an engine downsizing program instigated at Honda.