The 526hp Shelby GT350® & GT350R Mustang have been named Automobile Magazine All-Star winner 2016

With scoring criteria including style, class, importance and desirability, it's no wonder editors chose the 526-horsepower Shelby GT350^® and Shelby^® GT350R Mustang as an Automobile Magazine All-Star winner for 2016.

"The GT350R has a very 'mean American' feel but balances that with a very good chassis," said Automobile's Marc Noordeloos. He called Shelby Mustang a classic pony car, but one with "excellent dynamics." Of 25 vehicles evaluated, only seven took home awards.

Automobile chooses its All-Star contenders from the entire range of all-new, heavily revised or newly significant vehicles on sale or otherwise available in the United States in the 12 months preceding the test. The magazine's editors spend multiple days driving the vehicles on both road and track, then cast their votes for the winners by private ballot.

New MINI Exhibition at the BMW museum, but be quick, its only on till January.

New temporary exhibition opens on 27 November 2014 / Opening party on 28 November with The Rifles

From 27 November 2014, MINI – the BMW Group’s cult urban brand – will be the focus of attention in a temporary exhibition entitled “The MINI Story”. Up to 31 January 2016, visitors to the BMW Museum will for the first time be able to admire over 30 original vehicles, smaller exhibits and accessories from 55 years of MINI history. Numerous photos, films and sketches, along with a wealth of background information, tell the story of the tradition-rich brand across 20 themed areas. 

On 28 November 2014 the BMW Museum hosts a grand opening party for the new exhibition.

“A MINI has an inspiring, engaging way about it. It defies barriers and is ridiculously good-looking at the same time,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with various responsibilities, including MINI, at the opening of the exhibition. 

“The bond between a MINI and its driver is above all an emotional one. This wide-reaching exhibition at the BMW Museum and the brochure to accompany it provide an engrossing showcase for the rich heritage of MINI – from the conception of the original Mini in 1959 to the present day. I look forward to welcoming crowds of visitors and MINI fans who share our passion.”

“Following the recent guest appearance by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, this special MINI exhibition allows us to give our visitors a closer look at another of the BMW Group’s heritage-rich brands,” adds Gabriele Fink, Head of the BMW Museum. “We’re bringing together the most varied aspects of MINI within a youthful, dynamic and innovative setting.”

Wide variety of distinctive models and innovative design

A small car with a big history: the special exhibition shines the spotlight on the development of the MINI brand. An informative and action-packed tour leads visitors from the early days of the space-saving classic models such as the Morris Mini Minor and Mini Traveller to the unmistaeably contemporary design of the first new MINI, built in 2001. 

Alongside the model series on display, concept vehicles and creative one-offs – from a camper van to a stretch limousine complete with whirlpool – demonstrate the astonishing variety of models produced by MINI as well as the customer-centred focus of a brand cherished around the world for its innovative design.

From accessories to zeitgeist

The brand’s illustrious heritage and adherence to a “British” attitude to life are present in the pop culture of the 1960s (as epitomised by The Beatles) and beyond. 1990s TV series Mr. 

Bean ensured the Mini’s large community of fans were now spread around the globe – if they weren’t already. 

The BMW Museum gives this cultural and historical context a platform through 20 themed areas. Visitors with an interest in a particular era and its zeitgeist will find rare accessories, films and photos, adverts and design sketches to sate their appetites. The interactive joy of today’s world and a study of innovative connectivity-related ideas set the seal on “The MINI Story”, a journey back in time through half a century of MINI history.

Opening event for all MINI fans

On 28 November 2014 the BMW Museum will invite all fans of the brand to the grand opening event for the exhibition. Visitors can cast an initial glance around the exhibition from 20.00 hrs and party into the early hours with like-minded people over cocktails and more. Rock band The Rifles can be trusted to conjure up the requisite atmosphere. Entry is €5.00 and includes a welcome cocktail.

AUDI customer teams take a stunning one-two victory at Daytona

• Britain's Oliver Jarvis achieves GT class win on US race debut
• Alex Job Racing and APR Motorsport complete one-two success for the Audi R8 GRAND-AM
• All three race teams in contention for victory until the end

At the Daytona 24 Hours, the Audi R8 GRAND-AM produced its best showing to date when Britain's Oliver Jarvis along with co-drivers Filipe Albuquerque, Edoardo Mortara and Dion von Moltke, won the GT category in a dramatic finale.

The runners-up Ian Baas/Marc Basseng/René Rast/Frank Stippler. trailed the winners by just 1.4 seconds to earn the Audi R8 GRAND-AM a magnificent 1-2.

Despite 65 percent of each lap having been driven at full throttle, the R8 GRAND-AM that is powered by a production-derived 5.2-litre, V10 FSI engine, ran flawlessly on the notorious oval track for an entire day and night.

With the class victory at Daytona Audi, under factory commitments or in cooperation with its customers, has now won the world’s most important 24-hour races.

The latest evolution of the Audi R8 GRAND-AM experienced a successful baptism of fire in the toughest GRAND-AM race of the year. All four of the updated customer sport race cars for the United States ran with technical perfection to the finish.

Each of the three race teams held the lead at least once and had a chance of clinching victory until the very end.

"We achieved this dream result in what was only our second attempt at Daytona," enthused Romolo Liebchen, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. "With that, the R8 GRAND-AM in the United States is continuing the string of successes of its GT3 sister model that has clinched a total of five overall victories at European 24-hour races in the past two years."

Alex Job Racing in the end was the best Audi team. Right in the first quarter of the race, the squad provided the first Audi driver - Edoardo Mortara (F/I) - to take the lead in the GT class. Afterwards, Dion von Moltke (USA), Filipe Albuquerque (P) and Jarvis, from Burwell near Cambridge, in the white R8 GRAND-AM set the pace. But spins and time penalties then caused car number "24" to drop back several times.

Particularly controversial was a 30-second penalty that was imposed after Mortara had spun and a competitor was allegedly obstructed in the incident.

Albuquerque then stood up to the pressure exerted by his brand colleagues in the dramatic final phase. For him, as for Mortara and “factory” Audi Sport driver Jarvis, this meant victory on their Daytona debuts.

Jarvis commented: “It's been an incredible experience and a great way to kick start my race season. The whole race was such a roller coaster of emotions as so much happened. With just two hours to go, it looked like we were out of contention for the race win despite running strongly for 22 hours as we were given what we felt was a very harsh 60 second ‘stop and go’ penalty. However, due to a late Safety Car period, we were able to get back on the lead lap which was key to our race victory.

“I've never previously experienced so much drama and action in a single race. The last half hour was almost unbearable to watch as we knew it was going to be a close finish but Filipe did a fantastic job of handling the pressure.

“When he crossed the finishing line, the team ‘erupted’ in celebration. I think I was definitely more nervous in the final few minutes as a spectator than if I was actually driving.

“Daytona is a race I've always wanted to contest and to win on my debut is something very special. This definitely rates as one of my best and most enjoyable wins. 

“A big thanks must go to Alex Job Racing who were superb all weekend and got the strategy absolutely spot on! Also to Audi for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a great event while of course the R8 GRAND-AM was just sensational.”

Audi’s first 24-hour victory in the United States completes an impressive track record. After eleven victories at Le Mans plus the successes of the R8 LMS at Spa, Zolder and the Nürburgring, Audi - thanks to its customer teams at Daytona - has clinched another classic 24-hour race in its favour.