Sergio bows at Pininfarina Tribute Rally

Pininfarina showed its Sergio barchetta concept at an event in the UK last week where the main aim was to set a record for the largest number of Pininfarina cars gathered in a single location. As Autoweek went to press, the total was nudging towards 200, an early audit of the delectable selection of machinery arranged on the lawns around Hurtwood Park Polo Club suggesting at least 180 cars with more still to report. “We're hoping to get over the magic 200, but will have to wait and see,” said Gary John on behalf of the organizers, Brokersclub.

MINI Rocketman could be heading for production – if BMW can find a chassis

The ‘Mini’ MINI Rocketman (pictured) could go in to production The MINI Rocketman Concept was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011 as a smaller MINI than the one BMW were selling at the time, and it looked like BMW were considering going the smaller route to make the MINI more fun. But with the 2014 MINI now revealed, BMW has gone the opposite route by underpinning the new MINI with the UKL platform that will also underpin the next BMW 1 Series, and made the latest MINI even bigger than the last one. But it seems BMW still see mileage in a ‘Mini MINI’ and appear keen to find a way to make the Rocketman a production reality.

VW Beetle to get bigger seat

TThe successor to the New Beetle will arrive in 2012 with more space in the back seat and better packaging, said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. Speaking at a press event in Germany, he also said the next generation of the Beetle will be "more of a halo car" for the Volkswagen brand. And Jacoby said he expects the next Beetle to achieve higher sales.