Honda Aucra Spoon Sports Carbon Racing Seat on 2040-parts.com

New Mini Hardtop 4-door: First look

Meet the Mini Cooper Hardtop 4-door. The company has followed the surprise unveiling of its one-off Superleggera Vision roadster concept at the recent Villa d'Este Concourse d'Eleganza in Italy with this, a five-door production hatchback that is planned to join its North American lineup later this year. The new Mini model shares its front-wheel-drive mechanical package with the latest three-door Mini Cooper hatchback launched earlier this year but aims to provide more everyday practicality than its popular sibling through a combination of extended external dimensions and a pair of stubby rear doors.

Mazda to use regen brakes to boost fuel economy 5 to 10 percent

Mazda is adding a fuel-saving technology that harnesses wasted brake energy in the redesigned Mazda6 sedan due early next year. The approach uses regenerative braking to convert kinetic energy into electricity that is stored in a capacitor. The car later taps that capacitor to power the fuel pump, lights, audio, air conditioning and transmission and engine control systems.

New Kia Soul for 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The new second-generation Kia Soul crossover will make its European debut at next month’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, boasting increased practicality and improved efficiency over its predecessor. Based on the latest Kia Ceed hatchback platform, the new car goes on sale in the UK early in 2014, with prices expected to start around £13,000. The 2014 Kia Soul will be available with the firm’s latest 133hp 1.6-litre petrol and 126hp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engines.