Auto News 5

I find it hard to believe that 40-years have flowed under the bridge since the original Z-car was introduced in North America. Known in 1970 as the Datsun 240Z, this two-seat coupe was a game changer amidst a field of American muscle cars. It provided a lean, sophisticated alternative to the gas-hoarding V8-powered behemoths pushed by Detroit that could eat-up a quarter mile in good time but couldn't get out of their own way on a track. Full story...

As more and more luxury carmarkers are planning diminutive but premium city cars, Aston Martin has decided to put its Cygnet into production, according to a press release published today on their website. Full story...

A hybrid vehicle from a trusted automaker like Honda, which happens to be the least-expensive gas/electric car in Canada, which consumes under 5.0 L/100 km around town and on the highway, and that can seat five people and their belongings, sounds like a very interesting proposition. Full story...

Detroit - A special edition of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will be showcased in the annual Neiman Marcus "Christmas Book," the luxury retailer announced today. Full story...

Lotus engineer Colin Chapman achieved near-immortality with his legacy of small, light-over-power sports cars. But one wonders if the Prince of Lightness rolled over in his grave at the recent Paris auto show's unveiling of the Lotus Elite. Full story...

The pole sitter, Sebastian Vettel, wins the Japanese grand prix, but Mark Webber, second, extends his lead to 14 points, as Fernando Alonso finished third. Full story...

Organisers of the Japanese grand prix say they would like to continue to host the formula one race at Suzuka beyond the 2011 contract. Full story...

Vitaly Petrov will move five places down the inaugural Korean GP grid in two weeks. Lewis Hamilton hopes avoiding another five places grip penalty. Full story...

Kyle Busch extended his Nationwide season win record to 12 at the Auto Club Speedway. Full story...

Mercedes has categorically ruled out suggestions a move into team management could be an elegant way for Michael Schumacher to return to racing retirement at the end of 2010. Full story...

McLaren's racing duo have disagreed about how the early development of the 2010 car impacted the pecking order at the British team this season. Full story...

GP2 Series organisers are pleased to reveal the calendar of the fourth GP2 Asia Series, a category that previously crowned Romain Grosjean, Kamui Kobayashi and Davide Valsecchi. Full story...

Heavy rain made qualifying impossible in Japan. The FIA first delaying the session for 15 minutes, then 30, than 90 and finally postponed the session altogether. Full story...

Subtlety has never been Lamborghini's claim to fame. But the Sesto Elemento concept unveiled at the Paris auto show lifts the Italian automaker's look of lethal aggression to new heights. Full story...

German driver Sebastian Vettel planted his Red Bull Renault on pole position for the Grand Prix of Japan to be held on the grueling circuit of Suzuka. Full story...

MISSISSAUGA - Staring late this February, a fleet of 20 Porsche Caymans and 911 Carrera models can be found carving through the snow, engines singing and lights ablaze, in blatant defiance of conventional wisdom that says high-performance sports cars should be garaged for the winter. Full story...

Doing used car overviews on a weekly basis for a number of years can sure be an eye opener. Your correspondent scours owner's forums, consumer complaint threads and reliability resources regularly to help ascertain what owners of a used model can expect-- and what key issues to check for on a test drive. As time passes, a few things have become apparent: Korean cars are built better than ever, you can't beat a well-maintained Honda, Toyota or Subaru as a used small-car buy, and when it comes to pricey premium machines, the Germans offer a tremendous driving experience but fall slightly short on reliability. Full story...

The FIA Institute has launched a Global Driver Academy which will enable 10 drivers from all over the world to get a fully founded FIA Foundation drivers' perfecting class in Austria. Full story...

After expressing doubts about the inaugural event less than two weeks ago, Bernie Ecclestone now insists the Korean grand prix "is on". He also said Saturday he is only now waiting for organisers of a Russian grand prix in 2014 to sign a contract. Meanwhile, organisers of the 2012 US grand prix are facing a race against time to obtain planning permission to begin work on the Austin circuit. Full story...

The availability of a 'monsoon'-type rain tyre might avoid future cancellations of track sessions due to extreme weather. Full story...