Fel-pro Exhaust Pipe Gasket Part Number 60292 on 2040-parts.com

MINI gets a BMW 2.0 litre diesel

BMW 2.0 litre diesel in a MINI raises the prospect of a MINI John Cooper Works diesel [ad#ad-1] Just like every other car maker, MINI is trying to find a way to give their cars extra eco-kudos but still be able to deliver what their customers want. Hybrids, electric cars and other ‘eco-friendly’ options are one way to go, but diesels, with their extra torque and modern power, can deliver much of what a zippy little petrol unit can (even if they do lose some of the subtlety). So BMW are looking at ways to inject a little more economy in to the MINI Cooper, and if possible a little more power.

Acura RLX Concept

Acura held the world debut of the Acura RLX Concept at the New York auto show, which indicates the design and engineering direction for Acura's flagship sedan, set to launch at the beginning of 2013. The RLX Concept's design continues the brand's ‘Keen Edge' design philosophy, with bodyside surfacing clearly related to the ILX we first saw in Detroit. The RLX maintaining approximately the same length as the current RL but with a wheelbase increased by 50mm while the front overhang has been reduced by the same amount.

Better Place Electric Car visitor centre opens

Better Place have opened a visitor centre in Israel to demonstrate their battery swap technology for electric cars Last October we wrote about a start-up company in Israel – Better Place – that had a new way forward for electric cars by taking the purchase of battery packs out of the equation, and was developing a system for ‘Battery Swap’ stations where electric car owners could drive in and swap their battery pack for a fully-charged one in a few minutes. That story first brought to our attention our favourite quote of last year – by Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn – who said “A hybrid is like a mermaid: if you want a fish, you get a woman; if you want a woman, you get a fish.” Which probably explained why Nissan – and its partner Renault – got involved with Better Place. Better Place aims to address the main concerns of electric car drivers by making the battery packs in electric cars ‘swappable’.