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Mini Cooper SD (2011): the faster diesel Mini

Mini today finally went official with the high-performance diesels we scooped last year. The Cooper SD trim is available across the Mini range, on the hatch, convertible, Clubman estate and Countryman junior SUV. It's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel generating 141bhp and 225lb ft from 1750-2700rpm.

Get Your Cash Ready For Nissan’s New Qashqai

FOLLOWING on from its recent glitzy London unveiling, Nissan has now released pricing and specification details for its hotly anticipated latest generation Qashqai. When the mid-size SUV goes on sale in January prices will start from £17,595 and rise to £27,845, and buyers will have a choice of four trim levels. Nissan’s engineers have also done much to improve the car’s green credentials, with the result being an engine line-up spanning the 99g/km to 132g/km CO2 range.

Is Mercedes preparing to buy Ducati?

Remember the AMG-Ducati deal made at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show last month? A partnership of like-minded brands, albeit on two wheels and four. Daimler marketing types reckon that buyers of its AMG go-faster cars could in many instances be equally interested in go-faster motorbikes of the sort Ducati specialise in, and vice versa.