Kimpex 08-370 Front Suspension A-arms on 2040-parts.com

Mini Convertible (2009): the new R57 cabrio

By Simon Stiel First Official Pictures 28 November 2008 10:46 Mini has just issued the first photos of the new R57 Mini Convertible, which rolls into dealerships in March 2009 and follows the lead set by the latest hatchback. So it's cleaner, a little bit more polished inside and out, and there will probably be evidence of some middle-aged spread when we drive it in 2009.So what's new on the R57 Mini Convertible?All the changes are in line with the Mini hatch, so you get the latest PSA-shared 1.6 petrol engines, BMW group Efficient Dynamics – now redubbed Minimalism in Minispeak – stop-start and intelligent alternator control, helping to contribute to a 22% jump in fuel efficiency, Mini claims. The 1.6 Cooper pumps out 137g/km of CO2.

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing – the return

Gullwing GmbH are to create a faithful reproduction of the iconic Mercedes 300SL Gullwing The 1950s Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is an iconic car. Remembered affectionately by those old enough to remember it first time round (which I actually don’t!) and associated in the minds of car nuts with Sir Stirling Moss and his exploits in the Mille Miglia (it seems every classic Gullwing that comes on the market is somehow miraculously ‘Driven by Stirling Moss’), it is the epitome of ‘Cool Car’. The huge appeal of the classic Gullwing is also responsible for the direction of the new Mercedes SLS, which pays huge homage to the design of the original.

Real UK car sales ‘have halved’ in November 2008

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 02 December 2008 09:58 The United Kingdom’s car market is in freefall, CAR has learned. Although official registration figures won’t be released until later this week, we can reveal that retail sales slumped by 45% in November 2008. It’s a crucial metric, retail registrations being actual sales to real people – as opposed to bulk-buy fleet deals to businesses (which are also down).