Drawing inspiration from Olympic host city London, MINI introduces two new special-edition models to spread contemporary London around the world. These new special editions are based on the MINI Hardtop and boast exclusive equipment and tradition-laced titles.

The new models – the MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater – will go on sale in spring 2012. The MINI Baker Street embodies the youthful, fresh and innovative trend-setting style of the brand while the MINI Bayswater focuses primarily on the sporting verve and agile handling for which the MINI brand is known.

Both special-ediotion models will be produced over a limited period and will be sold worldwide. The MINI Baker Street can be ordered with the MINI Cooper engine and the MINI Bayswater is available as a MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S.

The MINI Baker Street is an “individualist with a taste for extravagance” and is its name is synonymous with the address of a certain fictional hero known to both visitor and locals of London.  It is 125 years since Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle, released his first story with the master detective in the title role.

The MINI Bayswater wears its inherent sporting elan and extrovert style very much on its sleeve. This model takes its name from an extremely vibrant area of London.  Bayswater is best known for its unusually high density of bars and restaurants, not to mention the adjacent and famous Hyde Park. MINI is returning to the London theme to further accentuate the link with both home country and fascination surrounding the London lifestyle.

Both the MINI Bayswater and MINI Baker Street are following in the tire tracks of a naming tradition begun by the classic Mini and reprised more recently with the MINI Camden, MINI Mayfair and MINI Clubman Hampton special editions.

The 911 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet was unveiled this week at the North American International Auto Show. The 911 is making its debut with a completely new roof concept that combines the elegant styling of the Coupe with the advantages of a light fabric hood.

The 911 Carrera Cabriolet is built with all the innovations of the new 911 Carrera family with some new features for open sports cars including, a lightweight design that ensures less weight and more sportiness, lower fuel consumption, and greater comfort. The new Cabriolet is powered by a 350-hp, 3.4-Liter six-cylinder engine.

According to Matthias Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG, “our engineers have built the best 911 in 48 years. That applies every bit as much to the Coupe as it does to the Cabriolet. In 2012 we are planning to continue growing as well and will raise the record performance (from 2011) to new heights.”

Hatfield and the Ford Mustang and McCoy and the Chevrolet Camaro

This past weekend, CarLocate.com got the honor of sitting down with William “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Ol’ Randell” McCoy to talk cars. Naturally, agreement and courtesy were rarer than unicorn’s blood.

CarLocate: William Hatfield and Randolph McCoy, welcome to PFPR. It’s really a pleasure to have you both sitting in one room without trying to kill each other.

Hatfield: Yessir, I reckon if thurs one thang that me an’ that swine can sit down and talk about it’s cars.

McCoy: Sure, we McCoys love aut-o-mo-beels. Ol’ Hatfield over thur wouldn’t know a good set o’ tires though if it done run over his toe.

Hatfield: Take it back, McCoy!

McCoy: I will not.

CarLocate: Alright, gentleman, that’s enough. Let’s keep this civil and talk about something that I know we all can agree on. William, why don’t you tell me a little bit about your present vehicle.

Hatfield: Well, I drive a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and it’s my pride an’ joy. ‘For the rooster crows, I’m already out thur, shynin’ it an’ carin’ for it. An she’s plenty quick wit’ that ol’ 444 horsepower V8. Quick enough to whip a McCoy I’d bet. Boy I think that grilles as purdy as pumpkin pie.

CarLocate: The “Boss” 302 is quite a car, Mr. Hatfield. And what is your ride of choice Randolph? Another Mustang?

McCoy: I wouldn’t be caught dead sittin’ in that pile of horse manoor you call a car. For a more upper class family, like the McCoys, we prefer to drive the Chevrolet Camaro SS. Nothin’ looks nicer or drives better than a Camaro an’ let me tell you I get 29 my-uls to the gallon. Camaro would beat the pants off a ‘Stang any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Hatfield: A Camaro SS? What does the SS stand for? Slow and Sloppy? Just like the whole McCoy family.

McCoy: Sloppy? You wanna see sloppy check out a Hatfield family re-yune-yun. SS stands for ‘Specially Speedy. Listen, you ol’ sandbag I’m ill as a hornet right now an’ fixin’ to give you what you deserve. 

Hatfield: The McCoys an’ thur cars call all rot in West Vurginyah. Hatfields are the most loyalist, proudest, an most of all best drivin’ families south of the Mason-Dixon.

McCoy: My sister Betsy drives betteran you with her eyes closed. I challenge you Hatfields to a drag race down by Boon’s swamp. Fastest car wins.

Hatfield: I accept your challenge even though it comes from a rat and a coward. Your momma is so…..

CarLocate: Alright, alright, let’s not bring mothers into it. Well, I guess that about wraps up this edition of PFPR. Hatfield and McCoy, thanks for joining us and let’s keep the musket-play to a minimum this weekend.

Background Information:

The Hafields and McCoys are two American families whose brutal feud has become part of legend. Some say that the rivalry began and descended from Ephraim Hatfield and William McCoy but sources are unsure as to the exact reason for dispute. Unfortunately, the feud was often steeped in violence and many people were killed due to the fierce hatred. The Hatfields and McCoys lived along the West Virginia and Kentucky back-country and were led by William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield and Randolph "Ol' Randell" McCoy respectively.
 
*Disclaimer: These interviews are for entertainment purposes only and are not based on the actual opinions of the interviewees.