Toyota Caldina 2006 Front Right Strut [1650110] on 2040-parts.com

SEAT Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 revealed

SEAT Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 revealed SEAT has come out fighting in the hot hatch stakes, and has revealed two versions of the Leon Cupra with up to 276bhp. Based on similar underpinnings to VW’s Golf GTI, the Leon goes much further than the GTI by offering a choice of two Cupra versions, 261bhp in the manual three-door SC or a mighty 276bhp in the Cupra 280. The 261bhp Cupra manages to get to 62mph in 5.9 seconds with the Cupra 280 cutting that to 5.7 seconds when fitted with DSG ‘box, with economy for the manual Cupras at 44.1mpg, and 42.2 mpg if you opt for the DSG ‘box.

Toyota Prius C not coming to the UK – Yaris Hybrid instead

Toyota Prius C - leaked in the photo above - is not coming to the UK Just last week we revealed that the new compact Prius City car – dubbed the Toyota Prius C – has leaked out in Japan from a brochure, ahead of an expected debut at the Tokyo Motor Show next month. But the UK won’t be getting the Prius C. A Toyota spokesman has said that with the UK already having the UK-built Auris Hybrid – and the Yaris Hybrid arriving next year – there are no plans to bring the new small Prius to the UK.

Mini to return to the WRC in 2011 with 4x4

Mini is back in rallying, more than 50 years after it ruled the roost at Monte Carlo and beyond, giving a huge shot in the arm to the World Rally Championship. In typically audacious style BMW has announced it will campaign the Countryman SUV rather than the standard Mini, starting with selected WRC rounds in 2011 followed by the entire 2012 season.It’s also a return to WRC for Banbury-based Prodrive, the outfit behind Subaru’s legendary WRC success, who will develop the car and run the team. Prodrive last campaigned in the 2008 season, and have been developing the Countryman since early 2009.