Auto News 5

Red Bull is paying its entire staff - about 550 people - a healthy championship bonus. Full story...

Former two-time World Formula 1 Champion Mika Hakkinen believes that Michael Schumacher is a "tragic ex-hero" who should return immediately to retirement. Full story...

The actual track layout of the impressive Yas Marina venue in Abu Dhabi is "flawed", according to Martin Whitmarsh. Full story...

For years, the automotive press has been whining about how great the European Focus is compared to the one we get in North America. The complaints will now come to an end, as the 2012 Focus has become a global car. Full story...

The Jaguar C-X75 made its North American debut today at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Celebrating the brand's 75th anniversary, this concept signals the application of new, more environmentally-friendly technologies in future Jaguar high-performance cars. Full story...

A rich legacy established by luxurious saloons, racetrack victories and sleek, sexy roadsters, had for decades made Jaguar a symbol of affluence for wealthy Britons. Full story...

It will be "difficult" for Sebastian Vettel to defend his title in 2011 because Fernando Alonso is F1's best driver. Full story...

Unveiled in Los Angeles today, Porsche's Cayman R promises substantial improvements over the Cayman S. On sale as of February 2011, the Cayman R is 121 lbs lighter and 10 hp more powerful than the Cayman S. The R has undergone an intensive weight-loss regimen, inheriting a considerable amount of lighter parts that are just as well-adapted. Full story...

Cadillac explores new grounds with the Urban Luxury Concept (ULC). This tiny vehicle was shown to a small crowd of journalists on Wednesday evening at GM's North Hollywood Advanced Design Center (NHADC), an institution celebrating its tenth anniversary. Full story...

Sometimes, little companies manage to play with the big boys, but such an accomplishment is rare. CODA Automotive brought their all-electric car to the 2010 Los Angeles Car Show and made a big splash. Will they be able to change the game and become a leader in the market for electric cars? Only time will tell, but this automobile has tons of potential! Full story...

On display under the Porsche banner, is the ultimate Carrera, the 911 Carrera GTS. Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, the GTS's 3.8-litre engine has had intake and exhaust modifications, bumping the output up from 385 to 405 hp. Standard is a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional 7-speed PDK gearbox. PDK-equipped models fitted with a Sport Chrono Package Plus should hit 100 km from 0 in a blistering 4 seconds. It rides on the same 1.7-inch wider rear track as the Carrera 4 all-wheel drive model, hence wider wheels behind. Full story...

Based on the same platform as the unibody 2011 Grand Cherokee, the new mid-size Durango boasts entirely unique sheetmetal, giving the SUV a sportier demeanour than the Jeep. It's a few inches longer compared to the Cherokee, which is normal since it gets three rows of seats. The base model is equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that develops 290 horsepower, while the R/T trim benefits from a 360-horsepower, 5.7-litre HEMI V8. Full story...

The much-anticipated second-generation X3 from BMW makes its "official" North American debut at the Los Angeles auto show. Longer, wider and slightly lower than the first-generation X3, the new model benefits from increased rear-seat room, more cargo room as well as improved interior fit and finish. Full story...

Having a really good reputation in Europe, ABT Sportsline made a big splash at the 2010 SEMA show by introducing their 2011 Audi R8 GT-R. The beast's 5.2-litre engine now develops 620 horsepower instead of the factory 525, along with a top speed of 325 km/h with a 0-100 km/h acceleration in an astonishing 3.2 seconds. Full story...

Chevrolet took the wraps off the new 2011 Camaro Cabriolet at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This is the first convertible in the Camaro lineup since 2002. Full story...

Karun Chandhok will test the 2011 GP2 car this week in France. Full story...

There's a lot riding on the shoulders, er, fenders of the 9-4X. Since Saab split from GM, the crossover debuting today in LA is only the second release for the now Spyker-owned company. Built on the new Cadillac SRX platform, the 9-4X will feature a 265-hp, 3.0-litre V6 or a 300-hp, turbo 2.8-litre V6 underhood and an available Haldex all-wheel drive system. It will share similar design cues with the 9-5 sedan, and features a well-appointed cabin. Full story...

Concept cars often look great when unveiled, but sometimes some great features of those concepts never make it to production. Hopefully, the BMW 6 Series Concept unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show will remain the same, because it's simply one of the most exciting cars BMW made in the past years. Full story...

Fiat is back in North America. Following a strategic alliance with Chrysler, the Italian automaker just presented the North-American version of the 500 at the 2010 Los Angeles car show. Full story...

Honda and Acura products typically receive a mid-cycle refresh, and it's the TSX's turn to get one. Full story...