Standard/t-series Ch408t Distributor Cap on 2040-parts.com

New MINI Crossman caught testing

The new MINI Crossman caught testing at the Nurburgring [ad#ad-1] Yes, the MINI has become ubiquitous ( to its detriment), and sales have fallen off, despite the plethora of variations on the market. But that’s not stopped BMW from pushing on with the MINI Crossman, which has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring this week. But, although I’ve moaned that MINI has lost its way of late, this particular MINI, odd though it may sound in concept, could be a real winner.

New Jaguar XF R-Sport is the start of more R-Sport models from Jaguar

The Jaguar XF R-Sport (pictured) adds sport looks to the saloon and Sportbrake The big news from Jaguar for the 2014 Geneva Motor Show is the arrival of a barnstorming XF Estate – the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake – with its 542bhp supercharged V8. But also heading for Geneva is a more lowly XF that might not grab the headlines but will probably do more for Jaguar’s bottom line than the XFR-S – the new Jaguar XF R-Sport. Available as an XF saloon or XF Sportbrake, the XF R-Sport is Jaguar’s take on stuff like BMW M Sport and Mercedes AMG Line (but without any power or suspension tweaks) and is aimed at owners and drivers who want the sporty looks of cars like the XFR but want it powered by something more prosaic.

Hearing the call of the auto-show siren

Margery Krevsky walks over to a display case containing several hood-ornament reproductions. “This is probably the most famous hood ornament in the world,” she says, pointing to Rolls-Royce's “The Spirit of Ecstasy.” The story behind it “could be made into a movie,” as she put it. And it would be worth watching for car enthusiasts.