Honda Civic Enters FIA World Touring Car Championship

2012 Honda Civic WTCC

SLOUGH, UK : February 3, 2012 - Honda today announced that the Honda Civic will race in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

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New Yaris Hybrid – No compromise on space for full hybrid experience

2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid 

•  Downsized full hybrid powertrain debuts in new Yaris Hybrid
•  No compromise on full hybrid driving experience
•  Clever packaging maintains Yaris principle of ‘Small Outside, Big Inside’

COLOGNE : February 3, 2012 - The introduction of the all-new Yaris Hybrid marks the first time customers in the B-Segment will be able to enjoy the quiet, low emissions refinements of Toyota’s acclaimed Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology. The cleverly packaged Yaris Hybrid delivers a ‘no compromise’ full hybrid driving experience.

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MINI Cabrio Highgate

2012 MINI Cabrio Highgate

MUNICH : February 3, 2012 - For MINI fans looking to combine open-top driving fun with sophisticated individuality and an essential dose of Brit-cool, the MINI Convertible Highgate provides the perfect stage. The new special-edition variant of the soft-top four-seater seizes the limelight with its innovative and precisely coordinated splash of colours and materials.

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Volkswagen to debut the fuel-efficent Beetle TDI at The Chicago Auto Show

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

HERNDON, VA : February 2, 2012 - The Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L and Turbo were launched to great acclaim from both consumers and the media in 2011. At the Chicago Auto Show, VW will unveil the third model in the Beetle lineup: the fuel-efficient TDI Clean Diesel model, which has manufacturer fuel economy estimates of 39 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. The Beetle TDI, the only Clean Diesel offering in the compact coupe category, will go on sale this summer as a 2013 model. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

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Dome racing returns to compete in Le Mans 24 Hours and Spa-Francorchamps

2012 Dome S102.5

Japanese racing-car manufacturer Dome is returning to the Le Mans 24 Hours with the Le Mans-based Pescarolo Team.

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New 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8®SUVs will sport Ferrari Red for Formula 1 stars Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa

TURIN : February 2, 2012 - Custom-built versions of the high-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 feature exclusive Rosso Corsa colored exteriors, red leather interiors and additional Ferrari looks pay tribute to the two Ferrari 'ambassadors'. Vehicles are the first two 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 models to be delivered in Europe where the introduction of the high-performance model of the Jeep flagship SUV will start in May. Both vehicles were prepared by Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) design and engineering teams.

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Audi with hybrid drive at Le Mans for the first time

2012 Audi LMP - Test car

• ACO and FIA accept AUDI AG entries
• Four Audi LMP1 sports cars at the 80th running of the 24 hours
• Conventional drive is further developed

INGOLSTADT/PARIS : February 2, 2012 – Audi competes in the 80th running of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 16–17, 2012 with a total of four LMP1 sports cars. Two of the four cars in action will be equipped with hybrid drive for the first time. Audi Sport Team Joest also follows a two-pronged approach in the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the 2012 season.

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KIA Track’ster concept

Kia Track’ster concept - Design sketched

• New Track’ster concept car created in the California Design Studio.
• Envisaged with a 250PS Petrol engine
• More than 102,000 Souls delivered to US customers last year.

CHICAGO : February 2, 2012 - Kia has unveiled its latest concept based on the Soul city car at the Chicago auto show.

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The new ABT AS5 : Sporty Elegance

2012 ABT  AS5

The A5 is a fast coupe and a comfortable travel companion to begin with. But in its ABT Sportsline version this extravagant car is even more sporty. The latest edition of the ABT AS5 combines a precise and harmonious design with dynamic technology. “For us, it was important to combine this car’s extraordinary design with our ideas and thus to underscore the car’s character. Its increased performance and its body parts form a unit”, says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The traditional Bavarian company’s managing director is very excited about this automobile. “If you look at the AS5, you want to take in every inch of its marvellous silhouette, and if you sit in it, all you want is to get it on the road. This coupé is really a power pack.“ 

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New Ferrari launch cancelled because of snow

Snow at Fiorano and Maranello cancels Ferrari's 2012 launch - Photo : Ferrari/Twitter

MARANELLO : February 2, 2012 – There was no let up from the snow last night, which continued to fall on Maranello and the surrounding area and the situation does not appear to be changing this morning. The forecast is still bad both in terms of predictions of more snow fall and of a further drop in temperature.

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