Bf Goodrich De-ice Timer P/n 3e1150-10 (3353) on 2040-parts.com

Mini E Racer (2010) takes on the Nurburgring

In these days of 7min laps, rounding the Nurburgring in 10min hardly classes as electric. Unless you’re in a Mini E. A battery-powered baby BMW driven by ex-DTM racer Thomas Jäger turned in a 9m52 lap, hitting a heady – but presumably near silent – 116mph on the way.

2012 Audi R8 facelift, more power & S-tronic ‘box

Audi R8 getting a facelift - and more power - in 2012 The supercar with a mainstream car maker’s badge attached that is the Audi R8 has been something of a success as a halo car for the Audi range since it arrived in V8 form in 2007 (well, probably 2008 by the time most customer cars turned up). Since the original V8 R8 arrived we’ve had an absolute deluge – in supercar terms – of R8 models from Audi including the R8 V8, R8 V8 Spyder, R8 V10, R8 V10 Spyder and the rather costly R8 GT and R8 GT Spyder. But through that time the engines – apart from in the R8 GT – have remained the same, as has the woeful R-Tronic gearbox.

New Audi A3 price from £19,205

Audi has revealed that the new 3 door Audi A3 will cost from £19,205 with first UK cars due in September 2012. The new Audi A3 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show back in March and, despite looking almost the same as the old A3, is actually an all new offering from Audi. The new A3 gets a longer wheelbase thanks to the new MBQ platform, which gives more cabin room despite the almost coupe-like looks and a drop in weight thanks to aluminium bumpers and bonnet and high-strength steel.