New MINI 5-door Hatch revealed – but will you fit through the back doors?

The 5-door MINI hatch arrives We’ve already had the more BMW-like new MINI arrive, and now, for the first time, we get a MINI 5-door hatch to try and extend the appeal of the MINI range to families. The 5-door MINI gets an extra 72mm in the wheelbase and a pair of doors at the back – which do look very tight for full-size people to use – and there’s also an extra 15mm of headroom, a bigger boot and seating for three in the back. In terms of design, there’s little to choose between the 5-door and the 3-door, but the new 5-door does look a bit like the off-spring of the new MINI and the Countryman; just a little dumpy.

Part-worn tyre sales under the microscope again

SALES of part-worn tyres are about to hit the agenda again following a study from charity TyreSafe that found 98% of potentially dangerous part-worn tyres were being sold illegally. As a result the organisation has stepped up to take part in the forthcoming Trading Standards conference at the end of June, after a successful trial last year. Running for three days from 30th June at the Harrogate International Centre, the event is the biggest gathering of trading standards officers and enforcement professionals in the UK.

Kia Kue concept

Kia has released a design sketch of its newest concept car - the Kue. With distinctly grand SUV styling, Kue majors on greater driving dynamics and performance.  The focus is very much about an exciting driving experience, as opposed to the typical SUV or CUV [Crossover Utility Vehicle] lifestyle and is the first major new concept launched under the guidance of new design chief Peter Schreyer. Kue is based around a dynamically focused monocoque chassis and features large seven-spoke 22-inch alloy wheels and doors that feature a distinctive sill-to-waist door crease which can be clearly seen on the all new cee'd. Size wise, the Kue measures up with an overall length of 4,720mm and a 2,900mm wheelbase.