Haynes Publications 79040 Repair Manual on 2040-parts.com

2013 MINI Countryman gets a tweak

Two years on from launch the MINI Countryman is getting a few tweaks for 2013 – but they don’t amount to much. But two years on from launch of the Countryman it’s getting a few tweaks to take in in to 2013, but they are pretty minor. The rings round the centre speedo and air vents now come in gloss black (unless you opt for the Chrome Line interior pack, and then they’re chrome.

Europe's Car of the Year 2011 shortlist announced

The 41 contenders for Europe's 2011 Car of the Year trophy have been whittled down to the final seven as the European CoTY shortlist is announced today. The winner will be voted for by 59 of Europe's most influential motoring journalists, including two CAR writers: editor Phil McNamara and European editor Georg Kacher. The 2010 winner - by just 10 points ahead of the Toyota iQ - was the Volkswagen Polo. Like the Eurovision Song Contest, Car of the Year has proved controversial in the past with accusations of block-voting and blind patriotism, yet the award remains one of the most prestigious in the motor industry.

Next-generation Chevy Volt to have 60-mile electric range?

On the heels of the recently announced price cut for the 2014 Volt, General Motors chief executive Dan Akerson is suggesting that we may see a Volt with 60-mile electric range in three or four years. In an interview with Bloomberg, Akerson suggests that GM is hoping for a "significant" improvement in the extended-range Chevy's ability to run solely on electric power. “For something to be significant to me, I gotta get at least 20 percent improvement in performance," the CEO asserted.