Auto News 5

Toyota Rav4, enters a new era. For the first time, the compact crossover will be available in front-wheel drive models. Full story...

He has long been revered as one of the many legends surrounding the world's most uncompromising sports car brand - Valentino Balboni, a remarkable test driver with his own personal cult status. Automobili Lamborghini now presents a model in his honour and bearing his name - the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. Full story...

The new Audi navigation system plus with MMI (Multi Media Interface) operating logic in the A3, TT and R8 offers improved screen resolution and unmatched route calculation speed. The radio-navigation system, version E (RNS-E), can be combined with the Audi music interface and reads up to 32 GB SD memory cards. The new system is available immediately and costs between 2,270 and 2,565 euros, depending on the model. Full story...

It's back to basics at General Motors: make cars that sell. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is intended to do just that. No, it doesn't have fancy hybrid or clean-diesel technology (for now), but it does have the design and specifications for today's car buyer. Full story...

Red Bull crushed the championship leaders at Silverstone, but a double-dose of car improvements has Brawn GP hopeful of fighting for the German grand prix crown next weekend. Full story...

The Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet that seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt earned his 76th and final victory with will participate in this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed in England on July 3-5. Full story...

September 11, 2009 could be the date on which Fernando Alonso is revealed as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver for the next five formula one seasons. Full story...

The first official shakedown of the new GP3 car took place on Monday at Le Castellet in the South of France. Full story...

Bridgestone is pleased to announce the compound allocations of Potenza tires for a further four rounds of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. Full story...

2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL

Is this really what the people want?

I got the keys to the Routan after spending a weekend in our Four Seasons VW Jetta TDI. It is utterly amazing that these two vehicles are even vaguely related. Beyond being an excellent value, incredibly efficient, and reasonably fun to drive, the TDI basically smacks you over the head with its thoughtful design and engineering.

Photo Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL - Volkswagen Minivan Review - Automobile Magazine

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Japanese vehicle exports in May fell 55.9% from a year earlier to 233,217 units - the eighth straight month of decline, according to JAMA. The sharp contraction reflects plummeting shipments to collapsed markets in Europe and North America. Full story...

Opel has hundreds of millions of euros in cash, the chairman of the trust overseeing the automaker said on Monday. Full story...

An earnings boost from the launch of the redesigned Mercedes-Benz E-class line has made Daimler more optimistic the worst of the current decline is finally behind it, chief executive Dieter Zetsche told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. Full story...

After four years and expenditure of GBP16m, an official report analysing the events surrounding the demise of MG Rover in 2005 has now been completed. Full story...

Sberbank and Magna may not finalise a deal to buy Opel as they have not yet agreed to new conditions of the deal outlined by General Motors, the Kommersant business daily reported on Monday. Full story...

General Motors and Tengzhong will begin talking with regulators this week in a bid to obtain Chinese government approval for the little known machinery maker to buy the Hummer brand by the end of September, a GM spokesman said today. Full story...

Tesla Motors has opened its European flagship store in the heart of London's exclusive Knightsbridge district. Full story...

Federal loans to automakers and suppliers for development of plug-in electric vehicles and other advanced-technology cars would be doubled to $50 billion under a bill passed by the House on Friday night. Full story...

General Motors on Monday (29 June) said it would suspend production at its assembly plant in St. Petersburg from Wednesday until 31 August. Full story...

Workers at Ssangyong Motor Co in South Korea say they will continue to occupy the carmaker's factory in Pyeongtaek, 40 miles (70km) south of Seoul, following weekend clashes with management and fellow employees which led to several injuries. Full story...