Auto News 5

Santander looks likely to end its sponsorship of the McLaren team after the Spanish bank's "transition" to Ferrari in 2010. Full story...

Heikki Kovalainen has been ordered to bed for a few days to nurse "heavy concussion" sustained at the weekend in Germany. Full story...

The name "Wolf" is well known in the Formula 1 world. It was at the wheel of the gorgeous Wolf WR1 that South African driver Jody Scheckter nearly clinched the 1977 World Championship! Full story...

The 100% electric Nissan LEAF has been awarded 2011 European Car of the Year, beating 40 contenders to win Europe's most important motoring prize. Voted by 57 motorist journalists coming from 23 European countries, it's the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that this award is given to an electric vehicle. Full story...

Porsche has officially announced their intention of introducing new model ranges in order to increase their offering to the buying public. The first result of this decision will be the Cajun, an efficient and sporty entry-level SUV/CUV made to attract new and younger customers. By enlarging the range of available products, the company is clearly indicating that they are not different from others, as they want to improve sales figures and that the best way to do so is through volume. Full story...

News about Nico Hulkenberg's future in formula one might be imminent, according to his management. Full story...

Today, Auto123 is launching a debate. Which one between a Ferrari 458 Italia or a Ducati 1198S is faster? We are already hearing you say that the outcome will depend if the test is done on a straight line or on a race track. Full story...

Penske Racing rewarded Brad Keselowski's Nationwide Series winning crew chief, Paul Wolfe a promotion to the NASCAR Sprint Cup for 2011. Full story...

The FIA has released on Tuesday the 2011 provisional Formula 1 entry list and six teams are yet to confirm their full driver line-ups. Full story...

The first Chevrolet Volt available for retail sale will be offered at public auction with the proceeds benefiting math and science education in the Detroit Public Schools. General Motors North America President Mark Reuss made the announcement of the event at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, where the car is assembled. Full story...

Sitting through "Ironman" yet again with a good friend's ten-year old, it occurred to me that the film was a virtual showcase of Audi's lineup. Full story...

There are some people who don't believe in downsizing. For them, bigger is better, and you won't convince them to trade-in their full-size SUV for something smaller, something more environmentally-friendly. Forget it. Won't happen. Full story...

If you are a fan of Volkswagen and Audi like many of us here at Auto123, you will be pleased to know that Audi has taken the wraps off its TT GT4 concept and that the company wants to offer this car as a «base option for affordable motorsports». If your definition of affordable is to have a 160 000$ car and beat the hell out of it on a racetrack, you have found your perfect match! Full story...

Toyota will pay to fix about 378,000 Prius models in the United States for a coolant pump glitch that could cause the top-selling hybrid to overheat and lose power, the automaker said on Monday. Full story...

Daimler AG's decision to switch from its longtime design-software vendor to a rival program will create ripples through the automotive supply chain. Full story...

Daimler AG's decision to switch from its longtime design-software vendor to a rival program will create ripples through the automotive supply chain. Full story...

Pacific Century Motors, a Chinese joint venture, says it will retain the management of steering systems supplier Nexteer Automotive when it completes its acquisition of Nexteer from GM tomorrow. Full story...

A little-known A1GP driver shines at the Race of Champions, we look at the week ahead, and we take a ride with Ferrari Formula One drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. Full story...

Pininfarina has revealed a one-off supercar called the New Stratos for German collector Michael Stoscheck. Full story...

GM, a longtime sponsor of golf's signature PGA Tour, is returning to the links next year in a big way. Cadillac, GM's luxury brand, announced today that it will be the title sponsor of the World Golf Championships tournament in Doral, Fla., in March. Full story...