Car and Van News

The very last Mini to leave the former Rover factory at Longbridge, Birmingham, is to be put up for sale.

The Mini Clubman 1275GT lay in the tunnels under the Longbridge factory for 30 years until 2012 – seven years after the plant closed following the collapse of MG Rover.

This year’s Silverstone Classic is promising to live up to its claim to be the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival by breaking all records.

Launching the July festival to the media, event director Nick Wigley has revealed that entries, advanced ticket sales and trade stands are all running well ahead of last year.

Registrations of new cars surged by almost 15 per cent in April – the strongest climb in 14 months of solid growth.

The result, up 14.8 per cent to 163,357 units and the best April performance since 2008, brought the figures for the first four months of 2013 to 768,555 units – up 8.9 per cent.

What is it: Latest version of Ford’s pocket rocket

Key features: New Ecoboost engine, clever chassis, budget price

Peugeot believes that its 2008 has the right ingredients to become the best-selling B-segment crossover.

The brand believes the car can outsell Renault’s new Captur and take customers away from the segment-leading Nissan Juke.

BMW is promising buyers more choice than ever before in its 3 Series range.

By the time the range is complete it will boast more body styles and a greater diversity of trim packages than seen before, and the availability of four-wheel drive for the first time.

Mazda expects its UK market to grow by a remarkable 20 per cent by the end of the year.

According to the brand’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson the sales target is bold, but entirely realistic.