We've heard of hot flushes, but this is downright weird: certain older Mini Cooper S models are starting to get a bit hot under the bonnet.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Mini Cooper S models built in 2007 and 2008 (apparently there are about 36 000 of them in the States) after receiving 12 reports of engine fires.
What's really scary is that eight of these fires started while the car was parked and switched off, which is why five of them resulted in the car burning out completely.
An NHTSA spokesman said the incidents indicated a growing trend as most of them had occurred during the past year.
BMW North America hasn't yet commented on the investigation and BMW SA said this morning it hadn't heard about it yet. We're waiting on them for comment, and the number of affected models sold in South Africa. As soon as we hear, so will you.