Video: BMW M1 Hommage

BMW took the wraps off its latest concept car at the Concorso d'Eleganza in Villa d'Este this past weekend. Called the M1 Hommage, the concept is exactly what it says on the tin: pay homage to the iconic M1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year. The design of the M1 Hommage concept is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the original - compete with a louvered rear window - but it has grown in size over its thirty year old forebear.

BMW open up shop on eBay – BMW Direct

BMW - open for business on eBay Remarkably, BMW are the first car maker to open up shop on eBay in the UK – BMW Direct – and although such a move would have been frowned on just a few years ago it now makes huge sense. It’s clear that this is aimed at parts for older BMWs – where owners wouldn’t normally consider visiting a BMW dealer to grab parts to keep their pride and joy on the road – rather than aiming at the owner of a new M5 grabbing a set of pads to shove on over the weekend. But the biggest scope is for accessories - genuine BMW accessories being the key – with just a mouse-click away from a buy for everything from a new set of 19″  alloys at £3,300  to a BMW Windscreen?/Window/Glass Cleaner + Telescopic Handle at £5.95.

MINI John Cooper Works Paceman: The hot MINI Countryman Coupe arrives

The new MINI Paceman has been given a range-topping model in the guise of the 140mph MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. Debuts at Detroit 2013. The Paceman JCW gets a convincing setup, with the same 1.6 litre 216bhp 1.6 litre as the Countryman JCW which delivers 207lb/ft of torque – and an extra 14lb/ft from an overboost – enough to send the Paceman JCW to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and on to 140mph (139mph in the auto, not that it matters as performance is the same otherwise).