Window Switch Acura Tl 1996 96 31474 on 2040-parts.com

Nissan creates a self-cleaning Note – and this one’s for real. (video)

The Nissan Note that cleans itself The Sunday chore of cleaning the car is beloved (and loathed, in equal measure) by those who’d rather do it themselves than pay a man with a bucket, a sponge and a chamois  to oblige. But regular car washing – for anyone – could be a thing of the past thanks to a new nano-paint technology. The newly developed super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint manages to repel water and oil, which means stuff like everyday dirt, mud and rain don’t have the chance to cling to the car’s paintwork.

BMW i8 EV sold out until 2015

BMW i8 EV sold out until 2015 BMW’s i3 city car EV is now starting to hit the road, and the next instalment for BMW’s EV outing is the i8 Supercar, revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Sales for the i3 have started very strongly, and it looks as though the i8 has an even stronger start with BMW confirming the whole of the first year’s run if the i8 are already spoken for. That’s despite the BMW i8 starting at almost £100k in the UK, but the i8 does have a lot going for it.

High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.