Crossword Genius

Unlimited fines given after German carmaker mixed hydrocarbons (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

benzine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'german carmaker mixed hydrocarbons' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'unlimited fines given after' is the wordplay.
'unlimited' says to take the centre (remove the limits/outer letters).
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'after' becomes 'benz' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The central letters of 'fines' are 'ine'.
'ine' put after 'benz' is 'BENZINE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for benzine that I've seen is " fuel".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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