Auto News 5

After appearing trackside at Monza, Sir Richard Branson's next stop on the formula one calendar will be the Abu Dhabi finale. Full story...

For the first time, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has been implicated as being part of the Nelson Piquet 'crash-gate' scandal. Full story...

These days, the success of any mobile phone is determined not least of all by the availability and range of "apps", or applications. It is primarily these numerous little extra programs, which can be subsequently downloaded, that provide the greatest use. BMW is presenting its Concept BMW Application Store at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Full story...

The popular R-DESIGN specification is set to give the new Volvo C30 SportsCoupe more than just visual appeal with the introduction of the new Sports Chassis as standard. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz has announced its partnership with London Fashion Week continuing its ongoing commitment to supporting fashion around the globe. As the official car of London Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz will be providing a fleet of low CO2 emission, BlueEFFICIENCY cars to provide transport for accredited journalists VIPs, designers and celebrities between the catwalk shows. As Vice Chair of London Fashion, Erin O'Connor will be provided with a Mercedes-Benz for the duration of the week. Full story...

Shortly after the successful market launch of the S400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment sedan with a gasoline engine, Mercedes-Benz will be presenting the first "three-liter car" in the premium segment -- the Vision S500 Plug-in HYBRID -- at the 63rd IAA in Frankfurt. Full story...

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot will unveil a concept version of its exciting RCZ 2+2 coupé, the RCZ HYbrid4. Based on the same power train as the 3008 Hybrid4, it is powered by a 2.0 litre HDi FAP diesel engine with a maximum power of 163 bhp and a 37 bhp electric motor giving a total power output of 200 bhp. Full story...

Dietrich Mateschitz has contradicted Red Bull Racing's boss and drivers by admitting that the team's 2009 world champion challenge is now over. Full story...

Stefano Domenicali on Sunday failed to quell the intense speculation about the futures of top F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso. Full story...

You're probably thinking that we don't need yet another big SUV crowding our streets, and you're arguably right. But the new MKT might not be a bad idea, since it could convince luxury SUV buyers that a Navigator is no longer required. Ford probably doesn't want this to happen, as they would rather see the MKT steal sales away from its rivals, and I would think the same. But it could happen. Full story...

Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre gave team Oreca's first LMS win today at Silverstone, while Aston Martin drivers Charouz/Enge/Mücke clinched title. Full story...

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard steered clear of danger to win the 2009 Rallye Defi, the fourth round of the Canadian Rally Championship. With the win, the pair also move to first spot of the 2009 championship. Full story...

BMW-Sauber has a buyer for its Hinwil based team, should the FIA grant it the thirteenth spot on the 2010 formula one grid. That is the claim of the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick, although team founder and minor shareholder Peter Sauber was giving nothing away at Monza when he said: "The negotiations are at a crucial stage. I can't say anything." Full story...

At last, Denny Hamlin won before his home crowd, dominating the 400 lap race taking the lead on lap four and leading a race-high 298 laps easily keeping ahead of second-place Kurt Busch. Hamlin's best and only real challenger, Jeff Gordon, was sent up the track on a late race restart by Clint Bowyer, but recovered to finish third while Mark Martin was fourth. Full story...

Lewis Hamilton admitted he made a mistake after crashing heavily out of a sure podium place on the last lap of Sunday's Italian grand prix. The reigning world champion had just set the fastest first sector of the entire race in pursuit of Brawn's Jenson Button, but lost the rear of his McLaren on the exit of the first Lesmo curve. Full story...

Nico Hulkenberg on Sunday secured the 2009 GP2 championship with one round to spare. The young German, who is Williams' test driver and tipped for a race seat next season, finished the Monza sprint race third, enough to secure the necessary points advantage over his title rival Vitaly Petrov. Full story...

The 2009 championship has become effectively a race between teammates, after the Brawns finished one-two at Monza and their title rivals at Red Bull had a poor Italian grand prix. "The man sat next to me here is obviously my big rival for the title now," said second placed Jenson Button, referring to his lead over winner Rubens Barrichello that shrank by 2 points to 14 on Sunday. Full story...

Alain Prost is first in line should the 'crash-gate' scandal result in Flavio Briatore's departure from formula one as Renault team boss. The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said Prost, the quadruple world champion and former owner and boss of an eponymous team, has been lined up by Renault should it need another manager for the Enstone based outfit. Full story...

Skoda Motorsport ace Jan Kopecky completed back-to-back victories on the IRC series trail by winning the Rally Principe de Asturias. Full story...

Don Thomson Jr. won the Torbram Electric 300 part of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule on Saturday night in front of a full-capacity crowd. Racing in Barrie is the epitome of short-track competition and Thomson a race-high 106 laps on the cozy .333-mile tri-oval and took his Chevrolet across the finish line in front of the others for the first time this season. Full story...