Auto News 5

Honda released a sketch of the next-generation Honda Civic on Monday. Full story...

General Motors Co. is offering skilled trades workers at 13 select plants $60,000 to retire or leave the company, UAW and GM officials said today. Full story...

Cadillac returns to SCCA racing with the CTS-V, U.S. sales are trending up, and we add the 2011 Infiniti QX56 to our long-term fleet. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. will emphasize fuel economy, off-road and towing capability and a smoother ride when it launches TV and print advertising for the redesigned 2011 Explorer next month. Full story...

Volvo Car has signed a EUR198m (US$261 million) loan deal to fund production at its plant in Ghent, Belgium. Full story...

Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will expand the number of car models they make for each other as the two Japanese companies seek to trim costs at their home plants, the Nikkei business daily reported. Full story...

Lancia's Chrysler-based flagship likely will be called the Thema, company sources said. The sedan will debut alongside a new version of Lancia's best-selling model, the Ypsilon, at the Geneva auto show in March. Full story...

Lancia's Chrysler-based flagship likely will be called the Thema, company sources said. The sedan will debut alongside a new version of Lancia's best-selling model, the Ypsilon, at the Geneva auto show in March. Full story...

The US government has welcomed a World Trade Organisation ruling that upheld president Barack Obama's controversial decision last year to impose duties on Chinese-made tyres to protect US workers from a market-disrupting surge in imports. Full story...

Lear Corporation, supplier of automotive seating and electrical power management systems, has reported financial results for the third quarter of 2010 and increased its 2010 full year outlook. Full story...

The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR made its international debut on Dec. 11 at the Porsche RandD center in Weissach, Germany. Full story...

The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR made its international debut on Dec. 11 at the Porsche RandD center in Weissach, Germany. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. will emphasize fuel economy, off-road and towing capability and a smoother ride when it launches TV and print advertising for the redesigned 2011 Explorer next month. Full story...

Ford has said it will begin construction on a new plant in Nanchang City, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, next year. Full story...

2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet 3.0T

A drop-top for all seasons.

We're now well into the season in Michigan where no one fights for the keys to a convertible. This S5 Cabriolet, however, is a soft-top I wouldn't mind driving through the chilly months. Beyond the obvious advantage of all-wheel drive, the Audi has one of the quietest top-up rides I've ever experienced. Climb in, flip on the seat heaters (not so easy to do with Audi's frustratingly complex HVAC controls) and you'll soon forget the roof isn't made of steel.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet 3.0T - Automobile Magazine

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Full story...

Dana Holding has broken ground for a US$20m technical centre in Pune, India. This 15th technical centre globally provide design, testing, and analytical support for each of the supplier's primary markets - automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway - under one roof and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011. Full story...

Cadillac said today it will compete in a production-car race series next year with its CTS-V Coupe, marking the premium brand's return to racing after a four-year absence. Full story...

Following a three-year factory hiatus, Cadillac on Monday announced its return to the SCCA World Challenge series for the 2011 season. Full story...

Formerly part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Zircotec is now a fully independent organisation developing and providing an increasing range of thermal barrier and heat management coatings and products. Successfully used in motorsport, the coatings have offered light and robust heat management solutions for a growing number of OEMs such as Lamborghini. More recently the firm has been developing heat resistant coatings to allow composite materials to be used in high temperature environments. Matthew Beecham talked with Zircotec's managing director Terry Graham about the company's recent innovations. Full story...

EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This is the sweet spot E-class, with the big V8 and slick seven-speed automatic, that fills the space between the V6 model and the wicked E63 AMG. Full story...