Hoosier Quick Time D.o.t. Tire 325/50-15 Solid White Letters Bias-ply 17130 Each on 2040-parts.com

WRC Mini Concept (2010) first official pictures

While the Mini Countryman might be destined for suburban mumsville, BMW has confirmed the new model will also terrorise the countryside in the form of the WRC Mini from 2011, with IRC champ Kris Meeke at the wheel. Officially launched at the 2010 Paris motor show in concept guise, the WRC Mini will be engineered and run by motorsport doyen Dave Richards and his Prodrive outfit, although customer packages will be available too, allowing independents to compete in the car. Not so much – this is no time for misty-eyed Paddy Hopkirk odes.

Aston Martin won’t be proclaiming ‘Powered by AMG’ on its Mercedes-engined cars

Aston Martin won’t be using ‘Powered by AMG’ badges It was a long time coming, but Aston Martin finally found a way to replace their ageing engines by doing a deal with Mercedes AMG to use their very impressive powerplants. And it seems that, depite AMG’s willingness to provide Aston Martin with modern engines, AML aren’t going to be required to put AMG badges on the bodywork or engines of their very beautiful cars. Speaking to Autocar, Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said that Mercedes were very happy to have done a deal with AML and equally as happy to be subtle about the arrangement.

BMW Vision Gran Turismo: Coming soon to a console near you

BMW's Vision Gran Turismo will be hitting TV screens across the world on 6 December as it joins the growing list of cars featured in the next Gran Turismo racing sim game for PlayStation. The sports coupé was created using cues from BMW's racing experience while the aerodynamic elements were developed using the carmaker's knowledge from the racetrack. It looks like the lovechild of a 6-Series and one of automotive futurist Daniel Simon's creations – in a good way.