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

High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer concept (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Vauxhall has put away the hologram projector and sent us proper photos of the Zafira Tourer concept, prior to its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show Vauxhall has sought to create a comfortable, relaxing lounge ambience with the interior of the new Zafira, shown here in concept car form.  Vauxhall's trademark Flex7 seating now allows the middle row of seats to fold flat into the floor. The Zafira Tourer also boasts a 'lounge seat' middle row. Similar to the Vauxhall Meriva and other MPVs on the market, this allows the centre chair to drop down, liberating extra space for two middle-row passengers.  The interior is richly trimmed in caramel-coloured leather, with contrasting dark brown trim on the doors, and deep-pile carpets. This is not your usual toddler-resistant troop-carrier fare.

News watch June 2012: today's auto industry news

Welcome to CAR Magazine's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour Friday 29 June 2012• As predicted, BMW and Toyota today announced the next stage of their cooperation to jointly develop powertrains, lightweight technologies, fuel-cells and future platforms (BMW and Toyota)• Today's announcement follows the initial agreement signed in December 2011; in March 2012, BMW and Toyota signed a binding agreement to work together on lithium-ion battery research and for Munich to supply Toyota with diesel engines from 2014 • Now Toyota and BMW have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the electrification of car powertrains, research into lightweight technologies, develop fuel-cells and to consider future vehicle architectures – 'for a sports car, for example'• Renault will cut 300 jobs at its Flins plant near Paris, it announced today. The factory builds the Clio and is preparing for the new Zoe ZE too (Automotive News Europe)• Ford has warned its pre-tax operating profit in the second quarter will be 'substantially lower' than before.