Beck/arnley 024-1131 Tensioner on 2040-parts.com

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.

Porsche Panamera hits the heights in Shanghai

A Porsche Panamera on its way to the 94th floor of the World Financial Centre in Shanghai [ad#ad-1] The stories of car makers doing daft things with cars to garner a bit of publicity have been rarer of late. Which, considering the sombre mood of car makers and the car buying public in recent months, is no real surprise. Even Motor Shows have been relatively sombre affairs (the Detroit Motor Show was particularly muted in 2009), but China is still booming, and the Shanghai Motor Show has been pretty much an old fashioned, glitzy affair.

Abt Sportsline debuts 300-hp Volkswagen Golf GTI Dark

Audi and Volkswagen Group tuner ABT Sportsline is coming to the states at last. At this week's Essen Motor Show, it revealed, among other things, its own special version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, dubbed the GTI Dark. As in, the dark side of the force.