Lancia Beta 1300 Horn Button Nos Nw on 2040-parts.com

Mini factory celebrates its 100th birthday

A bastion of the British car-building industry, Mini’s ‘Plant Oxford’ in Cowley, Oxford celebrates 100 years of building cars today (28 March 2013). Currently responsible for producing the second-gen BMW Mini range, Plant Oxford has been the birthplace more than just trendy city cars: it’s stamped out over 11.5 million cars since 1913, including legend like the Morris Minor and Frogeye Sprite, and clunkers like the Morris Marina. It also contributed to the war effort by repairing damaged RAF fighter aircraft during the Second World War.

This bus concept brightens up journeys with transparent LCD screens

Designer Tad Orlowski has explored how technology could shape public transit vehicle design with his new ‘Willie' bus concept, which trades windows and body panels transparent LCD screens. With static advertising space replced with LCD screens the bus is transformed into a mobile billboard that display not only advertising but also information such as route plans, weather reports and suggestions for tourists. They could also have touch functions, allowing passengers to interact with the displays.

Pininfarina could produce Sergio concept

Pininfarina may produce a few examples of the Sergio concept we saw at the Geneva motor show for a few well-heeled buyers with about $3.9 million in liquid assets. “We are considering a very limited run of five to six units," Pininfarina CEO Silvio Angori told Automotive News Europe. The Sergio is based on the Ferrari 458 Italia, and uses the same drivetrain including the 562-hp V8 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.