Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Mini nears big sales record

BMW's Mini brand will reach an all-time sales record this year, BMW sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson said. BMW sold 132,000 Minis in the first half. "If you double the half-year total, you aren't far off results for the year," Robertson told Automotive News Europe.

Citroen C4 Picasso five-seat

This is the new five-seat version of the C4 Picasso following the seven-seat model shown at the Paris Motor Show, which will now to be known as the Grand C4 Picasso. Naturally enough then, the two cars will compete with the standard and Grand Renault Scenics, the new Citroen C4 Picasso also tackling the handsome Volkswagen Golf Plus. The C4 Picasso shares its front half with its bigger stablemate while the rear has become more fastback in style, blackened pillars and dipping beltline also reminding of the Citroen C-Sportlounge concept.

MINI Rocketman could be heading for production – if BMW can find a chassis

The ‘Mini’ MINI Rocketman (pictured) could go in to production The MINI Rocketman Concept was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011 as a smaller MINI than the one BMW were selling at the time, and it looked like BMW were considering going the smaller route to make the MINI more fun. But with the 2014 MINI now revealed, BMW has gone the opposite route by underpinning the new MINI with the UKL platform that will also underpin the next BMW 1 Series, and made the latest MINI even bigger than the last one. But it seems BMW still see mileage in a ‘Mini MINI’ and appear keen to find a way to make the Rocketman a production reality.