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

New MINI 5-door Hatch revealed – but will you fit through the back doors?

The 5-door MINI hatch arrives We’ve already had the more BMW-like new MINI arrive, and now, for the first time, we get a MINI 5-door hatch to try and extend the appeal of the MINI range to families. The 5-door MINI gets an extra 72mm in the wheelbase and a pair of doors at the back – which do look very tight for full-size people to use – and there’s also an extra 15mm of headroom, a bigger boot and seating for three in the back. In terms of design, there’s little to choose between the 5-door and the 3-door, but the new 5-door does look a bit like the off-spring of the new MINI and the Countryman; just a little dumpy.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL previewed by leaked brochure

Here's the image that has the Web abuzz today--an apparent brochure scan of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL distributed by a European automotive site. Design cues reminiscent of the SLS AMG are unmistakable, and the new SL also takes on a fairly prominent iteration of the corporate front fascia. Underneath, Mercedes is promising a new aluminum architecture that will save weight while boosting rigidity.

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

The Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition Last week we ran a story about Saab’s Concept for the Geneva Motor Show, which we expect to be a concept version of the new Saab 9-3, but could be a first look at the smaller Saab 9-2. What we did say in that report was that apart from the Saab Concept we would see the debut of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi and a couple of limited edition Saab 9-3s – one of them a convertible. Well, with a week or so to go to the Geneva Motor Show, the limited edition Saab 9-3 convertible has leaked out through the well-informed Saabs United as the Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition.