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2014 MINI leaks ahead of reveal

2014 MINI leaks ahead of reveal MINI has been busy teasing the new MINI for a while, with an official reveal planned for later today to coincide with the 107th birthday of the Mini’s creator – Sir Alec Issigonis. But the best laid plans of MINI have garnered a bit of a wrinkle with the first official photos (above) of the new MINI leaking out online ahead of the official reveal. They don’t really tell us much we don’t already know – especially with the MINI Vision Concept previewing the new MINI – but do confirm the new MINI still looks as we would expect, just bigger and better equipped and based on a new BMW platform.

Ford future products: New vehicles get lighter, faster and move upscale

Ford Motor Co.'s future-product focus is on improved fuel economy by making its vehicles smaller and engines lighter without sacrificing performance, safety or luxury. It also wants to push the Ford brand more upscale to capture customers orphaned by the shutdown of the Mercury brand, and to attract new buyers with more product offerings. Ford has said 90 percent of its North American nameplates will be available with direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engines as standard equipment or as an option by 2013.

Linda Vaughn recovering from heart surgery

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to change the mailing address to South Laguna, CA. Linda Vaughn, best known as the iconic Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, underwent heart surgery on April 28 to clear out blockage in her arteries. Prior to the operation, Vaughn said, "I am tired of feeling 'low speed.' " After surgery, her spirits are equally as high and she is recovering as expected.