BMW, the manufacturers of the Mini car, joined Mitsubishi in kicking off a trial of their flagship electric vehicles this week.

As part of a scheme which is being backed by the Technology Strategy Board, the vehicles were launched to participants in the trial, which is intended to provide data for the government’s wider green automobile plans.

Customers picked up 40 of the new Mini E, which is based on the current hatchback model, with the back-seat being converted to store batteries.

The 35kWh lithium-ion battery powers the 201bhp electric motor, which gives a similar performance level to the one which is in the current petrol models.

Prime minister Gordon Brown praised BMW for the hard work that it has put into the initiative.

“I congratulate BMW and Mini for their ground-breaking electric Mini project and I welcome the extensive user field trial that has now begun,” he added.

BMW also said that its new Beachcomber concept model will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in mid-January.

Designed for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, the Beachcomber is based on the Countryman, with a few tweaks to its body and design.

BMW, the manufacturers of the Mini car, joined Mitsubishi in kicking off a trial of their flagship electric vehicles this week.

As part of a scheme which is being backed by the Technology Strategy Board, the vehicles were launched to participants in the trial, which is intended to provide data for the government’s wider green automobile plans.

Customers picked up 40 of the new Mini E, which is based on the current hatchback model, with the back-seat being converted to store batteries.

The 35kWh lithium-ion battery powers the 201bhp electric motor, which gives a similar performance level to the one which is in the current petrol models.

Prime minister Gordon Brown praised BMW for the hard work that it has put into the initiative.

“I congratulate BMW and Mini for their ground-breaking electric Mini project and I welcome the extensive user field trial that has now begun,” he added.

BMW also said that its new Beachcomber concept model will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in mid-January.

Designed for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, the Beachcomber is based on the Countryman, with a few tweaks to its body and design.

The new “fiery” Mini continues the legend of the firm, according to an impressive review.

Labelled as the John Cooper Works (JCW) Mini, the Belfast Telegraph said the new model is a perfect fit in one of the most evocative names in British motorsport.

Based on the 173bhp, 1.6 litre engine used in the standard Cooper S, the JCW also benefits from revisions to the cylinder head, pistons and turbocharger to give a hefty power output of 210bhp.

Featuring a tweaked exhaust system, the JCW “leaves you in no doubt that there’s some race car DNA under the surface”, according to the newspaper.

Improved sports suspension is also included, giving the car “razor sharp” handling without being unbearably harsh on the road.

The JCW model is available in three different versions, including the standard coupe, convertible and clubman, while Mini are also planning to release a new Roadster model in 2011.

Ford is preparing to release its new greener ECOnetic model and has started taking orders for the car.

The vehicle is an important step for the car giant as it is the first production of a European model to feature start/stop engine technology, which can be used to improve fuel economy from 70.6mpg to 74.2mpg.

Fans of the Focus will be able to get the new model with or without the start/stop feature, with both versions sharing the same fuel efficient 1.6 litre Duratorq TDCi which emits less CO2 than previous models.

Other technological improvements in the new Focus include the new Eco Mode, which lets the driver know when the optimal time to change gear is, while both versions of the car also benefit from regenerative energy braking.

Dr Thilo Seibert, manager of CO2 technologies for Ford of Europe, said that the new machine offers customers affordable eco-technology and latest-level drive technology.

The top speed of the machine is claimed to be 119mph, while it also takes less than 11 seconds to get from zero to 60mph.

Mini fans will be able to get their hands on a new Rolls Royce inspired model in 2011.

The British carmakers, which are both owned by BMW, will start making the new model next year featuring additional luxury touches from Rolls Royce.

A Mini source told Autocar that the new designs will be “totally individual” and the project is looking to create “niche vehicles” for its customers.

It is believed that few changes will be made to the Mini’s overall exterior or engine specification, but the interior will receive a makeover.

A new luxury interior trim will be included while the vehicles will also be coated in a special paint, although the colour has not been decided on.

Production of the classic Mini ceased in 2000 with BMW taking over the brand to make a number of new models, including a convertible version and the Clubman.

Mini fans will be able to get their hands on a new Rolls Royce inspired model in 2011.

The British carmakers, which are both owned by BMW, will start making the new model next year featuring additional luxury touches from Rolls Royce.

A Mini source told Autocar that the new designs will be “totally individual” and the project is looking to create “niche vehicles” for its customers.

It is believed that few changes will be made to the Mini’s overall exterior or engine specification, but the interior will receive a makeover.

A new luxury interior trim will be included while the vehicles will also be coated in a special paint, although the colour has not been decided on.

Production of the classic Mini ceased in 2000 with BMW taking over the brand to make a number of new models, including a convertible version and the Clubman.

Rally fans will be able to see the latest Ford Fiesta model make its competitive debut this weekend.

The new S2000 version will enter the final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Scotland as a course car.

Ford took the wraps off its impressive new machine at its M-Sport headquarters in Cumbria and claimed that it has produced a “fantastic rally car”.

Malcolm Wilson, managing director of M-Sport, said: “This launch is a big step to seeing it out competing in rallies. It’s the first time in five years that we have been able to offer a Ford rally car that can challenge for overall victory in national championships across the world.”

The 280bhp, 192lb four-wheel drive creation has gone from the drawing board and onto the track in just nine months.

Autosport.com said that it is expected that Matthew Wilson will drive the Fiesta in Scotland having completed the majority of the testing in the machine.

Athletes, officials and staff at the 2012 London Olympic Games will be cruising around the city in Minis after a sponsorship deal was struck with BMW.

The German manufacturer has become the 24th sponsor of the event, which will see a fleet of 4,000 BMW cars, bicycles and Minis being used by the competitors.

As a top-level sponsor, BMW also becomes the game’s sixth sustainability partner, which means that it will be expected to meet a series of low-carbon and healthy-living challenges.

“BMW bicycles will be available for use by athletes in the Athletes Village and by London 2012 staff. BMW motorcycles will also be used in certain Olympic and Paralympic events,” a spokesman added.

Earlier this week, BMW reported that sales of its Mini car range had jumped 11.1 per cent year-on-year in October to over 19,000 units, mainly thanks to the success of its convertible model which saw a sales jump of over 300 per cent.

The BMW Group increased its global sales in October, with its Mini car performing particularly well.

A total of 115,252 BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce cars were delivered to customers last month, a two per cent increase on the same month last year.

The Mini’s popularity continued to grow, with the variety of different models available helping sales for the premium compact car brand increase by 11.1 per cent.

So far this year, 19,323 of the model have been delivered, compared to just over 17,000 in 2008.

The Mini Convertible also performed well, with worldwide sales rising by an impressive 336.1 per cent thanks to over 2,000 deliveries.

Mini also sold a large number of its Hatch and Clubman versions, with both showing impressive sales increases from the previous year.

A recent review of the new Mini Clubman by Auto Express magazine gave the model four stars, with experts praising the mix of the practical body style and the powerful engine.

People are flocking to buy the Ford Fiesta, with 100,000 being sold so far this year.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain’s managing director, said that reaching the figure was a “significant milestone” for the model, after it saw a ten per cent boost in sales in October.

The Ford Fiesta, which is What Car? magazine’s current Car of the Year, is top of the UK market, increasing its share to 16.2 per cent in the year to date.

Mr Sharp added: “Fiesta exemplifies our fresh and exciting product line-up which, together with an outstanding dealer network, has helped to increase our UK market share.”

Ford is doing well in the polls, with its Focus model ranking second behind the Fiesta and with the company overall having more than 26,000 scrappage registrations so far this year.

The Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXi is now available in a special edition format, coming with leather upholstery and metallic accents on the interior trim.