Suzuki Marine 13831-42a00 13831-42a00 Bolt, Wing on 2040-parts.com

MINI gives the London Philharmonic the patriotic horn

MINI has teamed up the 2012 MINI London Edition with the London Philharmonic to create a MINI horn National Anthem. The London Philharmonic Orchestra has just finished the mammoth task of recording 205 National Anthems for the 2012 London Olympics, but this is one National Anthem that won’t be wafting across East London in the next month. The London 2012 Olympics are MINI’s marketing method of choice at the moment, so they took nine MINI London 2012 Editions – in a mix of Red, White and Blue – tuned their horns and roped in nine musicians from the Philharmonic’s horn section to toot in time.

Toyota Verso is the first Toyota to get a BMW engine

The Toyota Verso (pictured) gets the option of a 1.6 litre BMW diesel engine from 2014 Two years ago we reported that BMW would be supplying Toyota with diesel engines in Europe from 2014, And bang on time (as you’d expect from the Germans and Japanese) the first Toyota with a BMW engine has been revealed. The Toyota Verso 1.6 D-4D goes in to production in January at Toyota’s plant in Turkey complete with a 1.6 litre diesel engine from BMW that comes with 111bhp and 199lb/ft of torque. It’s not the sort of BMW diesel that’s going to see the Verso turn in to a hot MPV, but it does give the Verso emissions of 119g/km and allow Toyota to offer an engine that appeals to frugal minded, diesel-centric European buyers.

Automotive Interiors Expo 2010

The first Automotive Interiors Expo, an event that was part of no less than five automotive trade exhibitions gathered together at the Stuttgart Messe, took place in southern Germany from the 22 to 24 of June. The exhibitions, comprising European Automotive Components Expo, Automotive Testing Expo, Vehicle Dynamics Expo and Engine Expo, showcased the latest technologies and services from over 500 suppliers to the automotive industry. Grouped in three large halls, the Expo covered conventional powertrains and batteries right through to vehicle electrical systems and crash testing, but it also featured a panel of experts discussing the color, feel and shape of material design, synergies and design challenges; safety, lighting and HMI's; and interior component design as a means of achieving sustainable and lightweight vehicles.