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.

Cadillac CTS Coupe launches in LA +Video

Cadillac CTS Coupe gets official unveil at the LA Auto Show It’s not long since GM revealed that the CTS was going to spawn a Coupe version to go with the Estate (station Wagon), and even less time since we learned there is a going to be a Coupe version of the CTS-V – the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Which is now one step closer to reality with the official reveal of the CTS Coupe at the Los Angeles Motor Show, following on from the CTS Coupe announcement last week. Due to go on sale in Spring 2010 (I suppose we’re back to US model years – does that make it a 2011 CTS Coupe?), the CTS Coupe takes the oily bits from the saloon/sedan and puts them in to a very convincing, muscular coupe that sits lower and wider than its four-door sibling.

GM begins Chevrolet Sonic production at suburban Detroit plant

General Motors Co. today launched production of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact at its Orion Township assembly plant in suburban Detroit. The Sonic will be available in dealerships this fall.