O-200 Starter Motor on 2040-parts.com

Driven: Mini Countryman

There has been no more contentious a car launched this year than the Mini Countryman. It's been labeled by some as sacrilegious to the very essence of the Mini brand, of 'selling out' and, yes, of being ugly. But does the concept of a four-meter Mini translate to use in the real world?

Hyundai ix35 FCEV Hydrogen Fuel Cell in production by end 2012

Hyundai will have its hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV in production by the end of 2012 with full production by 2015. We’ve spotted the Hyundai ix35 FCEV (that’s the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle) out in South Korea sporting a new nose a couple of times recently, which apparently doesn’t signal a facelift for the ix35. What it does signal is Hyundai’s commitment to the hydrogen fuel cell as the most sensible fuel for cars in the future and to remove our dependency on oil, and Hyundai has been out promoting that message in London.

Runaway ostrich causes traffic chaos

Rush hour in the town of Tunbridge Wells took a humorous turn yesterday when a runaway ostrich shot past cars at speeds of over 40mph, with a clear disregard for road conditions, traffic and speed limits. Alarmingly, the rogue bird is still on the run from police and there are fears it could cause carnage in the town centre, as the RSCPA warns fully-grown ostriches max out at around 60mph. On Bing: see pictures of runaway ostriches Cars named after animals If the ostrich were to collide with an individual, its lack of crumple zones means the pedestrian could be badly injured and, as far we’re aware, ostriches are yet to be put through strict Euro NCAP crash tests.