Walker 53465 Exhaust Pipe on 2040-parts.com

Mini is 50: a Mini celebration by CAR writers and readers

By Tim Pollard Motoring Issues 13 October 2009 12:45 Mini is 50 this year and we've published a 33-page Mini special in the new November issue of CAR Magazine – packed with memories, drives and analysis of and with the cars and people that made Mini great.  Here we've asked some of CAR's top writers to remember their personal highlights from the past five decades. Gavin Green explains why he recently drove across Australia in a modern Mini, while Anthony ffrench-Constant recalls why crashing a classic Mini caused him to start a lifelong nicotine habit. Click on the links below for our new Mini stories – and don't forget we want YOUR Mini memories too.

Audi S3 Cabriolet for 2014 Geneva Motor Show

The Audi S3 Cabriolet will make its public debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next month. The range-topping version of the new A3 Cabriolet uses the same powertrain as the S3 hatchback, Sportback and saloon variants, with a 300hp turbocharged engine driving all four wheels. Audi quotes a 0-62mph time of just 5.4 seconds for the S3 Cabriolet, which will be available to order from April, with the first UK deliveries expected in July.

Alfa Romeo 4C finally on sale in 2013?

It seems the Alfa Romeo 4C may finally arrive in production guise at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and on sale soon after. First seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011 – when we expected it to go on sale in 2012 – the 4C has been rolled out by Alfa Romeo a few times since – even complete with ‘teasers’ when all that had changed was the colour – to keep up interest in a car that holds much promise but didn’t seem to be heading anywhere. But now, according to Autocar, Alfa Romeo has confirmed that a production version of the Alfa 4C will arrive at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show before going on sale – at least in Europe – later in the year.