Nissan Homy 1997 Radiator [4620400] on 2040-parts.com

VW BlueSport Concept Debut

Once upon a time, when  the world was a simpler place, there was a plethora of fun, nimble, economical roadsters (particularly in the UK) for our enjoyment. But times have changed, and got more complicated, and probably the only real fun, economical soft-top around is the MX-5. But that could change.

Fisker expects to partner with automakers

Fisker Automotive's CEO, warning of the pitfalls facing independent small automakers, says the luxury plug-in hybrid manufacturer is poised to partner with other automakers next year. Tony Posawatz, Fisker's CEO and former chief engineer of the Chevrolet Volt, told Automotive News that Fisker is in talks for three potential deals in which executives at the "highest levels" of the companies involved are "talking specifics." "We are absolutely committed to making this company win longer term, and the history of smaller companies living on their own in the automotive business is not stellar," Posawatz said in an interview. "We are not going to go it alone." Posawatz said alliance deals could be completed within the next year.

Mini cancels the mini Mini, aka the Rocketman

The Mini Rocketman, aka the mini Mini, has been shelved, CAR understands. BMW has recently signed off a slew of new Minis, many of which are revealed in the new February 2012 issue of CAR Magazine, but the baby Mini was not one of them. Why BMW has canned the mini Mini Mini showed the Rocketman concept as design study to show what a shrunken Mini true to the brand's core values could look like in the twenty first century.