Auto News 5

With mere days until the 2009 season opener, Formula 1 team Force India has become another team to make clear its current position regarding the new technology KERS. Full story...

In a continuing word exchange between the two sides in Formula 1's off-track war, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has denied that the teams told Bernie Ecclestone they approved of the winner-takes-all scoring system for 2009. Full story...

A coupe is a two-door- meaning that the four-door Volkswagen Passat Comfort Coupe (CC) isn't really a coupe at all. A trend is seeing various German brands applying the term to their four-door models, regardless of its proper definition. The folks at Webster's may need to consider breaking out the erasers if it continues. Full story...

Earnhardt Jr's miserable start of the season continues as he failed to finish in the top 10 for the fourth time in five races -- not at all what was expected in his second season with the most successful team in NASCAR over the past 15 years. Full story...

Renault Formula 1 eam's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga. Full story...

The 6th-generation of the GTI will hit the market later this year, and VW has released some more info on the iconic hot hatch. Under the hood, the new GTI keeps the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that develops 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices remain a 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, aka DSG. VW claims 30 percent of GTI buyers will opt for the latter. Full story...

To understand the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, you need to understand the company and the terminology the company uses. Hybrid for example is defined as the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective. In this case it is two distinct methods of propulsion for an automobile aimed at reducing fuel consumption without reducing practicality. Another important definition is integration, which in this case is "data from one device or software to be read or manipulated by another, resulting in ease of use". The last major definition is Synergy which in its simplest terms means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Full story...

Renault Formula 1 eam's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga. Full story...

The SEAT team have accomplished their mission: completing the American part of the season with four victories. Full story...

The German government is not aiming to take a stake in troubled carmaker Opel, but may give the General Motors' unit aid to help it survive, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday. Full story...

Bondholders holding some $27 billion of General Motors debt today sent a letter to the White House task force overseeing the bailout of the auto industry to register concern with the lack of progress in GM's debt-restructuring talks. Full story...

German carmaker Daimler said on Sunday it was increasing its share capital by 10 percent to allow Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments PJSC to become a major investor in the company. Aabar was acquiring all the new shares in a total investment of 1. Full story...

German carmaker Daimler said on Sunday it was increasing its share capital by 10 percent to allow Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments PJSC to become a major investor in the company. Aabar was acquiring all the new shares in a total investment of 1. Full story...

The CEO of French partsmaker Valeo SA, Thierry Morin, will leave his position, French newspaper Le Figaro reported on its Web site on Sunday. The publication did not name its sources. It said the decision was made at a Friday board meeting. Full story...

The CEO of French partsmaker Valeo SA, Thierry Morin, will leave his position, French newspaper Le Figaro reported on its Web site on Sunday without naming its sources. Full story...

China will concentrate more power in the hands of fewer auto and steel companies, the government said in unveiling its most concrete plans yet for reform of the two industries. Full story...

Advisers representing General Motors bondholders on Friday issued an appeal to the automaker and U.S. officials to break an impasse in a crucial round of debt-restructuring talks. GM's $13.4 billion in emergency loans from the U.S. Full story...

China will concentrate more power in the hands of fewer auto and steel companies, the government said in unveiling its most concrete plans yet for reform of the two industries. Full story...

One slip up, one extra minute in the pits and the story might be different. Yet it's a familiar story with a familiar ending - Audi debuts a new car with a victory at Sebring. The German marque posted win No. 1 for the Audi R15 TDI on Saturday as Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen beat Peugeot at the 57th Twelve Hours of Sebring. Full story...

Kyle Busch (Camry No 18) also nicknamed «Wild Thing» avenged yesterday's insult in the Nationwide race at the Bristol Motor Speedway by winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Food City 500 on Sunday afternoon after leading some 378 laps of the race. Full story...