High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.

Mercedes S-Class AMG Sport Edition – it’s another S-Class run-out special

The Mercedes S-Class AMG Sport Edition is another ‘final’ S Class model with extra equipment as the W221 comes to the end of its shelf life. The current Mercedes S-Class (W221) has been with us since 2006, despite which it’s still a fine car (and a great secondhand buy), but it’s about to be replaced by an all new S-Class. That’s why S-Class sales are falling and why Mercedes has rolled out the S-Class Grand Edition and CL Grand Edition to persuade buyers that a new S-Class (or S-Class coupe, in the case of the CL) is still a good place to park a sizeable chunk of change.

Alfa Romeo 4C on track with Giancarlo Fisichella (video)

Giancalrlo Fisichella takes the Alfa 4C round Balocco (pictured) The Alfa Romeo 4C – Alfa’s baby supercar – is due on sale next month following its UK dynamic debut at Goodwood, so to get a bit of adrenaline flowing in the veins of potential buyers, Fiat grabbed Ferrari test driver Giancarlo Fisichella and stuck him behind the wheel of the 4C to play at the Balocco test track, Fiat’s proving ground. And we have to say, the 4C doesn’t just look good, it sounds great and looks to be as light and nimble as expected. In many ways, the Alfa 4C is an Italian take on the Lotus Elise, but it manages to do it with a huge dose of Alfa flair, both in its design and its execution.