The mini just grew bigger. Well slightly with the new mini clubman. Its a bold new step for the mini and a needed one at that. Here’s the first look……

The Clubman hits showrooms on 10 November. We’ll be the first to drive it in the coming months, but have in the meantime got our hands on all the highlights. The key focus is on offering more space for rear passengers, sorely neglected in the current hatch, while also boosting practicality and luggage space. That it also happens to create an uber-funky shooting-brake MINI, a la coachbuilt Aston Martins, is… well, not at all coincidental, actually. Here is the much-needed expansion of the MINI line: in more ways than one, it’s MINI, going maxi.

Mo

Finally this car is coming state-side. Here is the press release….

THE NEW BMW 1 SERIES COUPE: BMW’s 128i and 135i Coupes Come to America in 2008Woodcliff Lake, NJ - June 30, 2007, 6PM EDT… BMW will introduce a modern and authentic performance coupe that draws inspiration from its iconic 2002 models of some 40 years ago. The next BMW legend, the 1 Series Coupe, represents the core BMW philosophies of pure performance and premium design. By combining sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics, agile handling, powerful engines and seating for four, the 1 Series Coupe will reinvent the niche that the legendary BMW 2002 created.
On sale in the spring of 2008, the 1 Series Coupe will be available in two versions; the 128i and the 135i. Powered by a 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline 6-cyinder engine that generates 200 lb-ft of torque, the 128i Coupe will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium contruction-core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics. The powerful 135i Coupe features BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and an incredible 300 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. With its direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooling, optimum performance and economy is achieved with no loss in engine response. For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0-62 mph is accomplished in 5.3 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Both engines feature on-demand engine coolant pumps that improve fuel economy and reduce parasitic losses for increased output.

more via Jalopink 

Nissan Commercial

 Another  Citroen C4 Commercial

The world’s first commercial compressed air-powered vehicle is rolling towards the production line. The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre, will be built by India’s largest automaker, Tata Motors.

The Air Car uses compressed air to push its engine’s pistons. It is anticipated that approximately 6000 Air Cars will be cruising the streets of India by 2008. If the manufacturers have no surprises up their exhaust pipes the car will be practical and reasonably priced. The CityCat model will clock out at 68 mph with a driving range of 125 miles.

Refueling is simple and will only take a few minutes. That is, if you live nearby a gas station with custom air compressor units. The cost of a fill up is approximately $2.00. If a driver doesn’t have access to a compressor station, they will be able to plug into the electrical grid and use the car’s built-in compressor to refill the tank in about 4 hours. Read the rest of this entry »