By Justin Couture, MSN Autos 

Winter might not even be here, but Mini is getting ready for next spring with long-awaited Cooper Convertible.

The new-generation Cooper Convertible features a cloth top just like the outgoing model. The roof is faster, taking just 15 seconds to raise or lower, and it can be done at speeds of up to 32 km/h. As before, the Convertible features a built-in retractable sunroof, which can be opened or shut at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Mini also improved rearward visibility with a new rollover bar with more ergonomically correct rear seat head restraints; its lower height won’t obstruct vision as much. If the car’s sensors detect a rollover, the bar pops up to prevent head injuries.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

I really hate to participate in fear-mongering, but this bit of news makes me cringe.

Bloomberg is reporting that GM could trim down in size in order to appeal congress by getting rid of some of its brands. In addition to Hummer, which will be going to the auction block, the American giant might also shed itself of Saturn, Pontiac and Saab to get its $12 bn slice of the proposed $25 bn bailout.

This proposal has a number of issues. Selling Pontiac or Saturn doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense considering how deeply integrated they are within the GM kingdom.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

When Audi launched the R8, it was advertised with the tag line, “Revise your list of dream cars.” But, if you’re involved in automotive racing, you might also need to revise your list of race cars, as Audi has just launched the R8 GT3.

The R8 GT3 will compete in FIA’s crowded GT3 category, and will run wheel-to-wheel with such racers as Aston Martin’s DBRS9, Ferrari’s F430 GT3, Lamborghini’s Gallardo GT3, Jaguar’s XKR GT3, and of course, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S, to name a few.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

Right now, the buzz word for General Motors is “Volt” as in, Chevrolet Volt. Certainly, the plug-in hybrid will represent a new chapter in motoring for GM, but it isn’t the only green project that it is working on.

Its latest fuel cell vehicle, the Ontario-built HydroGen4 isn’t exactly new - it’s been around since late last year, racking up miles in North America. GM currently has 30 families involved in what it calls “Project Driveway,” which involves handing over a HydroGen4 to various partners and people to obtain real world data. So far, the fleet has accumulated nearly 700,000 kilometres since the project began. In the U.S. alone GM has received 100,000 applications from drivers who want to be involved in the project.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

Ever have itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose and uncontrollable sneezing while behind the wheel? Yes, it could very well be hay fever and seasonal allergies, but you could also be allergic to the car you’re driving ... specifically the fabrics, and materials found in its interior. Unless you happen to be driving a new Volvo.

Volvo, guru of all things automotive safety (sneezing and driving is dangerous!) has gone to considerable lengths to have the interiors of its cars and crossovers certified by Oeko-Tex. The association tested everything from the upholstery trimming the seats, to the roof lining, the floor mats and even the seat belts to ensure that the interiors are hypoallergenic.

While I hadn’t heard about the Oeko-Tex Association until now, it’s a group of textile manufacturers with research and test facilities in Japan and Europe. Gaining certification means that the materials used must not leak heavy metals, or give off emissions within a certain level. Generally speaking, Oeko-Tex certifies articles of clothing, but hey, why not cars?

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

This is the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf hatchback. For all intents and purposes, the car pictured here seems normal. It has normal aluminum wheels, a normal paint job and normal bodywork. But it isn’t normal because it consumes just 2.5 litres of fuel per 100 km driven, or 94 mpg.

To be precise, this isn’t just a regular Golf, but a Golf TwinDrive, which is Volkswagen’s take on plug-in hybrids. Under the hood, the Golf TwinDrive features an extra-efficient gasoline engine, an electric motor and a battery pack. Working in tandem, the two systems yield 176 horsepower, an impressive figure for a vehicle so fuel efficient.

Volkswagen’s TwinDrive system differs from other plug-in hybrids and range-extension vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, in that it can operate in one of three modes: Gas-only for highway cruising, electric-only for in-city driving, and a computer-controlled blend of gas and electricity like a hybrid vehicle. Uniquely, the driver can switch between modes using a switch mounted by the gearshift lever.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

It’s a pretty grim though to imagine what the North American International Auto Show (a.k.a. Detroit) would be like if Honda decided to abandon ship. And while the Japanese brand isn’t ditching the show completely, it announced today that it won’t be putting on a press conference.

I suppose what’s important in the grand scheme of things is that Honda will be present at the show. Its vehicle lineup will be on display at Cobo Hall for attendees to see, unlike rivals from Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki. Slashing the press presentation from the agenda is a similar tactic to what General Motors did at the LA Auto Show, but there is one big difference: The Detroit show marks the official introduction of the new second generation Insight hybrid. The concept car which debuted at the Paris Auto Show earlier this year.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

BMW is counting down the days to the launch of a brand new vehicle. On December 14th, it will be debuting ... well, we're not quite sure what it'll be debuting but we have an idea.

There's a pretty good chance that the car will be the next-generation Z4 Roadster.

According to Autocar Magazine, it was supposed to debut in LA last week, but instead, BMW introduced a concept hybrid version of its new 7-Series luxury sedan.

What we can tell you is that the upcoming sports car is expected to feature a folding hardtop roof, as well as an updated range of engines including the critically acclaimed 300-hp twin-turbo straight six from the 335i. As a part of BMW's EfficientDynamics corporate strategy, expect the sports car to receive energy conserving features; European models will most likely get a hybrid-like idle-stop system, and regenerative braking. Rumor also has it that there might be a diesel version on the way too.

In preparation, they've released a little video teaser, but it unfortunately doesn’t contain the car. It starts out like a horror movie, but there's a colourful twist. To watch the video, click "Continue Reading" below.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

Mazda’s 3 Sedan made its grand debut at the LA Auto Show last week, but it has left many wondering what’s happening with the Sport (hatchback) version. After all, the hatchback has been a staple for the 3 since it was launched back in 2004.

Well, wait no longer: The new Mazda3 hatchback is here.

As expected, Mazda hasn’t changed very much for the hatchback model; the happy looking bumper and grille combination sported by the Sedan, plus the interior remain the same. Compared to the outgoing model, the new 3 hatchback has a slightly sleeker profile and trimmer looking tail lights.

By Justin Couture, MSN Autos

The following are words you probably wouldn't have associated with Volvo before the mid '90s: Curvy, sleek, aerodynamic. That all changed when Volvo launched the first-generation S80 in 1998. Volvo’s range-topping luxury sedan was a breakthrough in design, the first step forward in Volvo’s drive towards a sexier, younger image. But it was the mid-sized S60 that really got things moving along, with its strong shoulders, and rakish roofline (rakish at least by Volvo standards.)

It's been ten years since the S60 was launched, and a lot has changed in Volvo's lineup. In fact, it’s the oldest vehicle in the brand’s lineup. And though the next generation S60 isn’t expected until 2010, Volvo is giving us a little taste of things to come with the S60 Concept that’s being shown in Detroit this January.