Auto News 5

Unless you've been living on another planet for the past several months, you know that the 2009 Hyundai Genesis full-size sedan has won multiple awards in Canada and North America for its affordable luxury, outstanding value, inspired driving and impeccable fit and finish. Actually, the sub-$50K price puts this beautiful import in a class of its own. Talk about a slap in the face of German competitors. Full story...

BMW is extending its range of security vehicles by an additional model in a new protection class. The BMW X5 Security Plus complies with the requirements of bullet resistance class 6 (APR 2006), bringing versatile mobility and comprehensive protection against criminal assault into line with each other. Full story...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in a moderated Q&A discussion with CNBC auto and airline industry reporter Phil LeBeau at the opening session of the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. Full story...

Ray-Ban secured a cut-price deal to continue its sponsorship of the Brackley based formula one team, renamed Brawn GP just before the beginning of the season. Full story...

The Italian press unloaded on the famous Scuderia Ferrari in the wake of the very disappointing Chinese grand prix. And Niki Lauda explained why. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz's racing director Norbert Haug is interested in seeing Sebastian Vettel at the wheel of a McLaren at some point in the future. Full story...

Former World Rally champion Petter Solberg had a test with an Abarth Grande Punto, and could compete in several IRC rounds this season. Full story...

The sanctioning body of the IndyCar series, IRL has adopted a partly cost-saving rule and partly a competition enhancement where the uniformity (with a half-inch tolerance for caster adjustments) of the wheelbase used in oval racing will be restricted to 122 inches. Full story...

The entry of the two-seater sportscar, which is powered by a 5.0-litre, V10 producing more than 500PS, forms part of an on-going R&D process. As in 2008, Lexus engineers will use the gruelling race at the infamous German track to gather technical data that will be applied to future mass-production of vehicles. Full story...

Mazda Canada Launches Alternate Reality Game "33 Keys" - Gives Players a Chance to win a 2010 MAZDA3. Full story...

Former Ferrari F1 driver Michael Schumacher is unable to drive a racing car or bike at present as he is still recovering from his crash at Spain's Cartagena circuit in February. Full story...

At an event in Washington DC today, Bright Automotive unveiled the world's first purpose-built 2.4 liters/100 km (100 miles per US gallon) vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets. Named the IDEA, the multi-use vehicle falls into the light truck classification. The company announced it plans to produce 50,000 vehicles annually by 2013, providing businesses and government agencies with a highly durable, cost-saving and eco-friendly new vehicle, and creating thousands of American jobs. Full story...

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic made its Chinese debut during the 2009 Shanghai Auto. This model had been unveiled last March 3rd at the Geneva Auto Show. Full story...

Even team McLaren-Mercedes is not staunchly committed to using its KERS, the Kinetic Energy Recovery System throughout the entire 2009 formula one calendar. Full story...

On the eve of Earth Day, a new 2010 Honda Insight EX hybrid car, designated "Insight Canada 1" - the very first Insight registered in Canada, departed from Trans-Canada Highway Mile Marker Zero in Victoria en route across Canada in search of environmental initiatives that will be reported on and updated daily. The reports, including photos, video and a 'narrative' by the Insight Canada 1 car, will be posted on a special website - www.insightintocanada.ca. Full story...

At an event in Washington DC today, Bright Automotive unveiled the world's first purpose-built 2.4 liters/100 km (100 miles per US gallon) vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets. Named the IDEA, the multi-use vehicle falls into the light truck classification. The company announced it plans to produce 50,000 vehicles annually by 2013, providing businesses and government agencies with a highly durable, cost-saving and eco-friendly new vehicle, and creating thousands of American jobs. Full story...

The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick's future vision of "business class on the road," made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2009 in China. Full story...

Automotive News and co-sponsors Ernst and Young and the Transportation Research Center Inc. Monday night presented the winners of the 2009 Automotive News PACE Awards. Full story...

The strangely-named Rover reincarnation, Roewe, unveiled its N1 concept at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Full story...

Legendary British manufacturer returns with MG6 concept in Shanghai.

Full story...