CAR Magazine has reported that Mini’s mini Mini also known as the Rocketman has been cancelled.

Some features of this futuristic city car include double hinged doors, carbon fibre spats, suede leather and paper material used in the interior, emphasised tail-lights and pull-out drawer at the trunk for loading and holding personal items.

Among the many new Minis that BMW have recently signed off on, the Rocketman, with its extremely short wheel-base, is unfortunately not one of them.  The Rocketman concept was originally revealed as part of a design study showing what a shrunken Mini could look like in the twenty first century, that was true to the brand’s core values.

The reasons for the cancellation of its production are not due to marketing or costs but rather a variety of problems that included the considerable investment that Munich would have to make to make the city car meet current regulations and the stability, handling and crash performance of the small vehicle. In addition, The Rocketman concept was just 3419mm long (versus 3723mm for a current three-door Mini hatch) and 1907mm wide.

View more images below:

Two students from Lawrence Technology University in Michigan, U.S.A Colin Bonathan and Jeeho Cha have presented renderings of their proposal for an all-electric Lincoln Continental for production in 2025. The project is fully endorsed by Lincoln’s parent company, Ford who were very impressed by the futuristic and innovative vehicle.

The idea started in the summer of last year when the design students began to work on the concept. It was presented to officials of the American automotive giant and it had the desired effect with the agreement of an endorsement deal. At the time, The Ford officials liked it so much that they commissioned to have a quarter-scale model displayed at the recent Detroit Auto Show.

Source: World Car Fans

Ford’s chief executive officer Alan Mulally has recently revealed the automaker’s new EcoSport concept car at the 2012 Delhi Motor Show.

The eco-friendly SUV launched alongside seven other new Ford models in India by the middle of the decade. Based on Fiesta running gear, the B-platform is destined to underpin more than two million vehicles a year by 2015.

Under the hood, the vehicle is fitted with Ford’s smallest engine  - a 118bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that will churn out 120PS of max torque. A 1.5-litre diesel powerplant is to follow.

The production EcoSport is being built in South America under the One Ford strategy so while Delhi will be the first to receive the new model, sales will follow in South America, China, North America and possibly Europe at a later stage.

Image source: Top Gear

The image above, reveals the new Lexus LF LC concept car expected to be officially unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January. Top Gear have reported that all they know for certain about the new model is that it’s been created at the company’s California design studio, the same place where the original SC430 was drawn.

The new concept is about the same size as the SC and also has two doors but it differs in that there is a pair of seats in the back. The image also suggests that it has a targa top and while Lexus have yet to confirm, it is possible that the new concept is a rear wheel drive and the spacious body work could be wrapped around the Toyota GT 86 platform.

There have been rumours circulating that Kia was planning to build a production version of its GT concept but a new report but a new report has indicated that the new model could also be available in a wagon and coupe variant.

Citing anonymous sources, Inside Line reported that Kia is considering a series of GT-based vehicles rather than a single sedan or hatchback. The aim of this decision is likely to assist Kia in spreading out development costs while allowing the model to target a wider range of consumers.

While no date has been confirmed for the launch dates of the coupe and wagon, the standard model could be available in 2013.

source: World Car Fans

Some background on Acura – it’s Honda’s upmarket wing in America that came to Europe as a Honda. It’s still fondly remembered as one of the first supercars to add comfort and ease to its pursuit of outright speed with three-time Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna involved in its development. An earlier NSX project was scratched during the financial storm of 2008 but Honda are clearly back on track with this new project.

Aside for the confirmation of the project, Honda has not revealed much information but by looking at Honda’s latest strategy the new NSX will pioneer a more sporting hybrid application of the technology seen in lesser Hondas.

The Acura NSX is expected to be a two-seater with a lightweight build, a full zero-emissions EV capability and a launch date speculated to be in 2013.

source: Car Magazine

Honda showcased its new RC-E Electric superbike at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. While details are limited about the new concept, the machine is designed as a dual-purpose track heathen and commuter.

Tiny LED headlights are tucked into the front fairing and rear of the bike with turning indicators. While the bike is purely a concept at this stage, there is a small change that the RC-E may hint at what Honda has planned for the future of the company’s motorcycle design.

source: Autoblog

Power comes from an internal combustion engine and two electric motors. Using two 60kW electric motors individually powering the front and rear wheels, the hybrid can drive exclusively in electric mode for up to 50km and a further 800km when combined with its petrol engine.

The vehicles also offers three driving modes that combines electric and pedal power. In the case of an emergency the PX-MiEV can act as an outdoor power supply through a socket that supplies the stored power in the battery.

source: Car Advice

Since the first images of the concept were revealed back in October, Mazda has officially unveiled its new Takeri concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show in the Big Sight expo hall.

Built to preview the next generation Mazda6, The Takeri is the “most-evolved Form of Mazda’s New ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ Design Theme and Breakthrough Skyactiv Technology”. The Takeri is a four-door coupe with a strong and prominent hexagonal-shaped grille, 20 inch alloy wheels and measures 4, 850mm in length, 1, 870mm in width and has a height of 1, 430mm.

The clean interior showcases elegant leather seats, metallic trim and a fully equipped infotainment centre.

Power comes from a 2.2-litre Skyactive diesel engine that is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. The start/stop technology with i-ELOOP regenerative braking system, allows the vehicle to travel about 1, 500km before having to refill the tank, improving performance and fuel economy.

Watch the Takeri promotional video below:

source: Worldcarfans

Intervehicle connectivity can detect potentially hazardous situations like making the driver aware of a car in its blind spot or one that is about to break suddenly. The system can also link with surrounding vehicles to locate friends.

As if this isn’t enough, Toyota also envisions that the car will be connected to the internet which has the advantage of bringing information to the driver and providing entertainment content to the driver and the passengers on board.

source: Cnet