After Audi unveiled the almighty R8 V12 TDI at the Detroit Auto Show, I asked the obvious question and they made it clear that they had no plans to build a production version. Now that the disappointment has subsided somewhat, Audi is offering up a consolation prize, although it’s not known yet if the US market will get a crack at it. For the first time since the original TT debuted ten years ago, Audi will be offering a version with a diesel engine. A 170 hp, 258 lb-ft 2.0L TDI will be available in both the TT Coupe and Roadster. Putting the torque down through all four wheels by way of a six-speed manual gearbox, the coupe will run 0-62 mph in 7.5 sec, with the ragtop accomplishing the feat in 7.7sec. While by no means blistering speeds, the nature of diesel engine torque will mean that the TTs will feel quick everywhere. The real upside to all of this is the fuel economy of this claimed world’s first diesel sports car. The lighter, more aerodynamic coupe will be capable of 44.3 mpg while the convertible is just behind again at 42.7. Pretty impressive when gas prices as likely to go ever higher.

You’ll find Pioneer sound systems in vehicles of all shapes and sizes, but this is something entirely different. To garner some attention and demonstrate its latest multimedia equipment, Pioneer has created a one-of-a-kind MINI pick-up in pure Cooper-mino style.

The vehicle, as you can see, is all decked out in chocolate brown and white. Pioneer started with a MINI Cabrio and fitted a unique, miniscule, covered cargo bed to house all the electronics and blend in with the custom white roof – because what would a custom MINI be without a white roof – with a surfboard mounted atop. 18″ powder-coated white wheels complement the accents, held on with a Spax sport suspension that drops the ride height by 60mm. MS Design helped round out the look with an aero kit, and there’s a Remus center-exit exhaust out back. Inside, Pioneer has fitted all its latest equipment, including two optical drives, 3 subwoofers, four amplifiers and a whole mess of speakers we couldn’t even count. Of course it’s iPod-compatible, and the show car has a Nano mounted front and center atop the white center stack. Brown and white Recaro racing buckets and steering wheel round out the interior of this very unique MINI with an assuredly mega sound, which Pioneer will be demonstrating in a few days at the Paris Tuning Show.

Everyone has one: The old beater you’ve had since high school, the first car you could never get rid of, the project stuck on cinderblocks in your backyard. Well, keeping that tired old jalopy is no longer just a sign of mercy — it’s the popular thing to do.

According to the Associated Press, people these days are keeping their cars longer than ever. If 10 years seems like a long time to own a car, well, it is, but it’s also just above the median age of the average car on U.S. roads: 9.2 years. Trucks have an average road life of 7.1 years.

Causes for the beater invasion? A bad economy, longer warranties and the increasing durability of quality-made vehicles are among the reasons, not to mention the comparatively relaxed long-term loans more car buyers are choosing. So, not to fear: If your car’s 10 years old, that’s OK. Everyone else’s is, too.