New Cut-Price MINI First with 75HP 1.4-Liter Petrol Engine

MINI's UK division is lowering the bar once again with the release of a new entry-level gasoline model called 'First' that is priced at £10,950 OTR or £1,395 less than the MINI One. Available only in three-door hatch form, the First is equipped with a detuned version of the 95HP 1.4-litre petrol engine currently found in the One that produces 75 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The MINI First can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 13.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 109mph or 175km/h while returning a combined fuel economy of 53.3mpg UK (5.3lt/100km or 44.3mpg US).

Even though the whole point of the First is its low price, nevertheless MINI does offer a variety of special packages that you can check out in detail below.

Available Packages for MINI First

Design Package

£525.00

• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Heated Mirrors and Windscreen Washer Jets
  
• Mirror Caps in Body Colour
  
• Chrome Line Interior
  
• Chrome Line Exterior
  

Tech Package

£855.00

• Multi-function for steering wheel
  
• 3-Spoke Sport Leather Steering Wheel
  
• Passenger Airbag Deactivation Switch
  
• Radio BOOST CD
  
• CD Preparation
  
• Basic Bluetooth with USB Audio
  

Salt Package

£390.00

• Floor Mats in velour
  
• Passenger Seat Height Adjustment
  
• Storage Compartment Pack
  
• Front Fog Lights
  
• On Board Computer
  
• Interior Lights Pack

Kia Officially Reveals Cee Facelift, Says Two More New Models to Premiere in Frankfurt

After the first photograph of the Cee'd facelift hit the web ahead of time earlier this week, Kia came out with an official press release and a high-res version of the teaser shot. Besides the obvious styling changes to the bonnet plus alterations to the bumper, grille and light clusters which bring the Cee'd into line with Kia's latest models like the Soul, the Korean automaker said that the 2010MY also features enhancements to the interior in terms of specification and design including a revamped center console and an upgraded audio system with Bluetooth connectivity.

Furthermore, Kia's European division mentioned that the refreshed Cee'd will be revealed to the public for the first time at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show alongside "two all-new Kia models".

We do know that one of these models will be Kia's yet-to-be named, small MPV that will rival the Opel Meriva and its ilk but we have no information on the other vehicle. It could be that Kia is referring to the European-spec version of the Sorento that made its world debut at the Seoul Show this past April but then again, it might be an entirely new model. We'll wait and see.

VW Golf Tops European

Despite the heavy competition from the new Ford Fiesta that increased its sales in Europe by a hefty 34.2 percent to 243,340 units in the first half of 2009, VW's Golf continues to dominate the sales charts in the Old Continent with sales up 12.7 percent to 254,023 units in the same period, according to data released by Jato Dynamics. The rest of the top five list was rounded out by the Peugeot 207 with 193,778 units (-20,6 percent), the Opel - Vauxhall Corsa with 181,751 units (-14.1 percent) and the Renault Clio with 144,512 units (-28.0 percent).

Notably, the first ten places were occupied exclusively by European automakers - okay Opel / Vauxhall (at least for the time being) and Ford are controlled by their American parent companies.

Volkswagen was also Europe's top-selling car brand in the first half of the year with 842,787 vehicles sold, up 0.7 percent over the same period in 2008. Ford finished in second place with 666,548 units, down 3.6 percent over last year, followed by GM's Opel - Vauxhall division with 557,739 units (-16.8 percent), Fiat with 542,115 units (-1.4 percent) and Renault with 520,763 units (-18.4 percent).

Data: Jato Dynamics

Farboud’s Pagani Sei Concept

You may be surprised to learn that the Pagani Huayra isn’t my cup of tea (that’s Anglo-speak for “ I don’t like it”). Conversely, I have a great amount of affection for the Zonda and its limited-run sister, the Zonda F. The Huayra seems more Spyker-lookalike than Enzo-killer, which many would agree was the first generation Z’s raison d’être.
I also like Ardalan Farboud’s Pagani Sei design study. It has the sort of unfussy slickness that the Zonda had and the Huayra lacks, while staying true to the brand’s tenets of being lithe, fast and using gratuitous amounts of carbon fibre. Farboud, a recent graduate from Coventry University’s Master of Design course, produced the Sei as part of his final year project.

Let’s take a moment to ignore the irrationality of studying the vital statistics of a car that does not nor will ever exist and dive right into it.
The Sei features two stainless steel subframes fore and aft of a carbon fibre tub, the former housing the axles and engine whilst the latter holds the interior and fuel storage. An aluminium alloy, AMG-sourced twin turbo 4.8 L V8 is good for a theoretical 1,200 hp (895 kW) coupled to a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox. With up-shifts accomplished in an favorable fast 80 miliseconds, the Sei can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in a quick 2.9 seconds.
The car’s 1100 kg (2646 lb) kerb weight is supported by an F1-inspired carbon fibre, stainless steel and aluminium double wishbone suspension setup. The rear suspension is adjustable. 19 x 9.5 inch front and 20 x 12.5 inch rear carbon fibre wheels are wrapped in 265/35ZR19 front and 335/30ZR20 rear rubber.
Add to that a ceramic powder coated stainless steel exhaust, carbon ceramic disk brakes and E85 compatibility and you have one impressive (if completely imaginary) hypercar. There’s even a video that you can check out along with our comprehensive image gallery. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.

VIDEO Audi A5 Sportback

Here's the first video of the all-new Audi A5 Sportback that joins the ever-expanding cast of the so-called four-door coupes or if you prefer, sport sedans with coupe-like styling details such as slick rooflines and frameless doors. Scheduled to arrive in European showrooms in September, the latest addition in Audi's A4 - A5 family will offer buyers an initial choice of six engines - three diesel and three gasoline, ranging from 170HP to 265HP. At least for now, Audi says that the A5 Sportback won't be coming to the U.S. market. Watch the video after the jump.

2011 Ford Explorer Receives

Ford's freshly launched 2011 Explorer SUV has received its first safety recall for a problem concerning the second row of seats. The recall affects approximately 1,658 Explorers made between July and December of last year.
According to a filling with federal safety regulators, the manual recliner mechanisms of the second row seats may "have components that are out of dimensional specification". The NHTSA said that in the event of a crash, "the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury."
The Detroit automaker said that as of January 21, 2011, it is not aware of any reports of this condition on vehicles in customer service.
Ford said it will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 14, 2011. Owners of the affected models may contact the company's customer service at 1-866-436-7332.