Gasser/ratrod Gas Pedal on 2040-parts.com

Mini Convertible (2009): the new R57 cabrio

By Simon Stiel First Official Pictures 28 November 2008 10:46 Mini has just issued the first photos of the new R57 Mini Convertible, which rolls into dealerships in March 2009 and follows the lead set by the latest hatchback. So it's cleaner, a little bit more polished inside and out, and there will probably be evidence of some middle-aged spread when we drive it in 2009.So what's new on the R57 Mini Convertible?All the changes are in line with the Mini hatch, so you get the latest PSA-shared 1.6 petrol engines, BMW group Efficient Dynamics – now redubbed Minimalism in Minispeak – stop-start and intelligent alternator control, helping to contribute to a 22% jump in fuel efficiency, Mini claims. The 1.6 Cooper pumps out 137g/km of CO2.

Tesla set for record sales result

Innovative electric carmaker Tesla is set to announce that the last quarter of 2013 was the most successful for sales in the company’s history. As a young company with a well-respected product this doesn’t sound too surprising – until you learn that the anticipated results are said to be 20% better than Tesla had predicted. On Bing: see pictures of the Tesla Model S Find out how much a used Tesla costs on Auto Trader Tesla says it sold and delivered nearly 6,900 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2013 – which is “approximately 20%” more than prior guidance.

Video: Rolls-Royce Wraith design process revealed

Rolls-Royce has released a video exploring the design process behind its Wraith fastback, revealed earlier this month at the Geneva motor show. The video is one of a series that look at the Wraith's development process, focusing on the design and performance of the Wraith. Key figures behind its development such director of design Giles Taylor and head of interior design Ian Sheppard feature, explaining how the Wraith evolved the way it did and how the design teams made their decisions.