Milles ahead

PITSTOP

In 1940, the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupe won the classic event by posting a record-breaking 116.7 kph average speed over the famous 1,000 miles. With that as an inspiration, BMW unveiled a new concept at this year's Mille.

The BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia 2006 receives a modified drivetrain and suspension from the new Z4 M Coupe and sits on bespoke 20-inch alloys on 245/40 R 20 rubber. In fact, BMW designers used plaster rather than computer-aided clay modelling, the way cars used to be designed ages back.

The hinged roof also plays homage to the relaxation of rules at Le Mans, when hard-top racing cars became eligible to race. Using lightweight materials, this aerodynamic concept is powered by BMW's famous 343 bhp inline-six. The next Z9 coupe? You never know.

Auf wiedersehen

Say goodbye to a German supercar that rivalled the best from Italy. Porsche has ended production of the Carrera GT, the two-seat supercar that sports a 605 bhp 5700cc V10 and boasts a 0 to 60 mph (96 kph) timing of under four seconds. Over 1,200 units of the high-tech Carrera GT have been sold. What's next from Zuffenhausen then?

Corsa correction

And since we're saying goodbyes, you might as well say hello to the new Vauxhall Corsa, which is to go on sale in Europe later this year. The fresh-looking new car is wider and longer than the model it replaces and Vauxhall says it wanted a sportier feel.

Which is why the fresh face, the coupe-like roof line and a German-developed chassis. There is more space on the inside and the new Corsa will also sport a "funkier" interior.

Initial engines include 1000cc, 1200cc and 1400cc petrols, along with the famous 1300cc common-rail CDTi. The top oil-burner is to be a 125 bhp 1700cc CDTi. The Corsa will also sport adaptive headlamps and a price tag. Which is classified right now, so check back here in, er... September?