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

Mini Vision concept: what does it say about the brand's future?

The sight of Mini design head Anders Warming presenting a holographic, 3D projection of the Mini Vision concept as if appearing in his own cartoon was certainly a new one on us, but it captured the quirky, slightly left-field image the subsidiary of BMW Group has cultivated since its relaunch 13 years ago. As the 'Vision' tag suggests, this is billed as a marker of intent for the brand's future design direction rather than a pre-production teaser of the new Mini hatchback (Cooper in most markets) we'll see later this year. However if the third-generation 'new' Mini doesn't look remarkably similar we'd be amazed, such is the level of productionized detailing on this purely digital model.

Chrysler offers to double cash-for-guzzlers incentive on most '09 models

The Chrysler Group is offering consumers $4,500 on most of its 2009 models, doubling the cash-for-guzzlers incentive offered by the federal government. "Double Ca$h for Your Old Car," offers up to $4,500 cash or 0 percent financing for 72 months on qualifying new vehicles, even if the consumer's trade-in doesn't qualify for the federal incentive. The program starts Thursday, July 23, and runs through August, Chrysler announced Wednesday.

Crusade saves Brighton Speed Trials

THE BRIGHTON Speed Trials, thought to be the longest-running motorsport event in the UK, has been saved following a crusade backed by thousands of people. Since 1905, the annual event has gained international acclaim for showcasing top-class cars and motorbikes racing over a quarter of a mile at Madeira Drive on Brighton's seafront. Organisers launched a campaign amid fears the event could be scrapped because Green-led Brighton and Hove City Council had not accepted an application to host it this year.