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Next MINI will be use a car platform that is already announced by BMW and Fiat for their intentions to collaborate on it that will underpin the Biggie MINI, due in 2012 or 2013, along with the successor to the Fiat Grande Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo. However, a new platform developed by Fiat and dubbed the C-Evo will be used as the basis for a larger MINI, due out in 2015.
It’s unclear whether the C-Evo architecture will underpin the MINI AWD compact utility vehicle, but according to Automotive News, the platform will be capable of housing both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive powertrains, and will serve as the platform for the new Alfa Romeo 147, which will be released sometime next year.

Fiat and BMW are also in talks to co-develop a new range of new gasoline and diesel engines, including a 1.6-liter four-pot and 1.2-liter, three-cylinder that will be used on FWD vehicles.

The decision to share platforms and engines has reportedly been in the works since 2007, and BMW and Fiat stand to save between 150 to 200 million euros in the process.

[Source: Automotive News ]

Inside Line has put together what it believes is an accurate depiction both visually and technically. Acura NSX is a part of series of Honda. Acura Nsx is a dynamically legendary supercar. It is newest challenger for Japanese supercar domination.

The first thing to know about the new NSX is that its emphasis will be on aerodynamics. Honda’s F1 team may have yet to reach the pinnacle of success on the circuit, but that doesn’t mean the company hasn’t learned a few tricks in the process. For starters, the entire rear end of the car is tipped to act as a giant wing, generating prodigious amounts of downforce where soon-to-be archrivals Lexus LF-A and Nissan GT-R use heavy rear transaxles to keep the tail planted and the weight balanced. At an estimated 3256 lbs (you know, give or take), the NSX is also expected to come in a good 550 lbs lighter than Nissan’s beast. Based on sources within Honda, Inside Line has come up with what they feel is an close prediction of how the NSX will look, and then proceed to call it boring. What lies underneath, however, is tipped to be a 5.5-liter V10 pumping more than 600 hp and 433 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and the company’s Super Handling AWD system.

There is dangerous market competition which is faced by NSX with price of $160,000. However developmental test mules of the NSX have already reportedly managed to lap the vaunted Nurburgring Nordschleiffe in a blitzschnell 7:37 on their first attempt. Once everything’s tweaked to perfection, though, the NSX is easily expected to drop below 7:30. How far below will remain to be seen. With Japan, America and Europe’s best vying for the top slot, the heat is on.

[Source: Inside Line]

The Tata Nano exudes frugality, and when you’re trying to build a capable vehicle for a paltry $2,500, that’s not exactly unexpected. Unfortunately for the Indian automaker, the quickly rising cost of steel may thwart plans to hit the magic price-point. The price of steel has risen by 50 percent in less than a year, and even though the little Nano is only 1,300 lbs, when you’re making an econobox on the mega-cheap, every penny counts. Like US automakers have done in the past, Tata is looking to its suppliers to shoulder some of the financial burden. Amazingly, the suppliers are okay with that, provided that Tata does its share.

Even with concessions from suppliers, it’s still up in the air as to whether Tata will achieve its lofty target. It appears using a nice round price as a selling point for a vehicle that’s a year away wasn’t such a good idea after all.