Toyota Motorsport GmbH (a.k.a TMG), the Köln Germany-based motorsport division of the Toyota Group, told Australian media that they are developing a double-clutch transmission for the company’s Lexus brand.

According to Rob Leupen, business operations director of TMG, in the next 2 or 3 years we should be able to see the TMG-developed DCT on the Lexus RC-F, and also the next generation of IS-F.

For the IS-F, Leupen also hinted that the redesigned IS-F may use hybrid powertrain technologies.

Today we got a set of latest spy shots of the upcoming W205 C63 AMG sedan.

From the photos we can see the following details:

– AMG quad exhausts (even though you see only one pipe on each side, but the size of the opening in the rear bumper indicates quad-exhaust arrangement on production version);
– P255/40R18 rear wheel tire size;
– Leather wrapped/stitched dash board;
– Adjustable suspension control near in the center console;
– 320 kmh (200 mph) speedometer;

Also the powertrain specification of the new C63 AMG will be:

– 4.0L twin-turbo V8;
– standard version: 476 hp;
– high output version: 510 hp;
– 7-speed MCT t...

You may still remember several months ago Jim McDowell, VP of MINI USA, told US media that BMW management is considering stop making several models that do not sell well.

Today we got insider news indicating the departing models in the plan: the Paceman and also the Coupe (including the Roadster).

The decision is based on BMW’s current cost cutting initiative, and also MINI brand’s not-so-satisfactory sales performance this year (for 2012, MINI USA achieved a 15% growth; but it only saw a 0.5% enhancement in 2013). The MINI models being cut will be those with extremely low sales volume...

Our source told us the news that, Toyota is working on the hybrid powertrain for the latest hot-selling Corolla, and the new Corolla family member will be officially announced in 2015 as a 2016 model.

We are not sure which market will get the Corolla Hybrid, but it has been confirmed from our source that Chinese customer will see it and Toyota’s China factory is now preparing its equipments for production.

Stay tuned for more information.

For some MINI customers who want to provide easy access for the second-row seat passengers, the only choice is the Countryman, which has individual doors for the second-row.

Now, for those MINI lovers who want the same layout but do not want a CUV shape, a new choice is here: MINI provides the 5-door version of the Cooper model. Below is the 2015 model pricing:

MINI Cooper 5-Door:       $21,450
MINI Cooper S 5-Door:    $25,100

And here is the 2014 price for the 3-door version for your comparison:

MINI Cooper 3-Door:       $19,950
MINI Cooper S 3-Door:    $23,600