Auto News 5

Honda will drop plans to develop new clean-diesel engines and will focus on hybrids, the Nikkei business daily reported. Honda plans to develop a new hybrid system for larger cars, the newspaper said. Full story...

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings said it expected to record a net profit for the first half of 2010 versus a loss for the same period a year ago, helped by strong earnings from joint venture BMW Brilliance. Full story...

General Motors Co. will offer buyers of its Chevrolet Volt an eight-year warranty on the lithium-ion battery's 161 components. The warranty also includes the battery's thermal management system, charging system and electric-drive components, GM said. Full story...

Peugeot says a diesel-hybrid version of the company's new 508 sedan will be among the most fuel-efficient models sold in Europe. The 508 will debut at the Paris auto show in October. Full story...

French carmakers have given up their delusions of grandeur -- the belief that they can compete with their German rivals in Europe's large car segment. The decision is right, although it comes much later than Ford and GM reached the same conclusion. Full story...

Nissan Motor Co. said it will halt production at two U.S. plants for three days because of a delay in getting parts from Hitachi Ltd. The plants in Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton, Miss. Full story...

Mark Webber has revealed that he and the Red Bull team have "cleared the air" in the wake of the Silverstone front wing saga. Full story...

The all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will arrive in Canadian dealerships this October, with a starting MSRP of just $14,995. The Cruze is designed to deliver segment-leading attributes most important to compact car customers including best in class fuel consumption* and safety. With two sophisticated and highly efficient 4-cylinder engines, both paired with 6-speed transmissions, the Cruze offers a fun, responsive and refined driving experience. Cruze also connects with today's tech-savvy buyer and will offer the industry's first-ever mobile applications through OnStar. Full story...

The new BMW X3 is the successor to a top seller and will add a new dimension to the pleasure of driving a Sports Activity Vehicle of this class. More significantly than ever, it establishes benchmarks in agility and efficiency, whilst at the same time convincing through noticeably increased driving comfort. The design of the new BMW X3 combines the typical BMW X character with a dynamically stretched silhouette. Thanks to a generous amount of space and a high degree of variability in the interior, it is possible to adapt travel comfort as well as transportation capacities to suit each personal requirement. Four-wheel drive technology BMW xDrive not only optimises traction, but has also been specifically harmonised to ensure enhanced driving dynamics. The new BMW X3 offers state-of-the-art qualities with uncompromising diversity, combining both driving pleasure and efficiency with comfort and functionality, durability and elegance. Full story...

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - A new era in sustainable mobility begins in Manitoba today, as Toyota Canada delivered a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (Prius PHV) to its provincial testing partners at a ceremony in Winnipeg. Full story...

The Pagani Zonda R set a new record at Nürburgring's Nordschleife (20.83 km) with a time of 6 minutes and 47 seconds, breaking the mark established a few months ago by another extreme supercar riding on a different set of tires than the Pirelli P Zero Slicks (265/645-19TL front, 325/705-20TL rear) of the Zonda R. Full story...

CHICAGO - Since opening in 2009, the Elysian has set the new standard for luxury living in Chicago. Through its newest partnership with BMW of North America's Central Region, guests will now travel in the same level of style. Today, Elysian and BMW announced a partnership that will 'bring joy' to the Elysian guest's experience - on four wheels. Full story...

Only 30 copies of the Frozen Gray M3 will be produced, and obviously they are all spoken for. But those 30 lucky buyers will have to sign an agreement that acknowledges the special care that the paint job needs. Full story...

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is reportedly bidding to return to formula one next year with his own team. Full story...

The German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on 25th July will see Sauber Motorsport celebrate 40 years of racing. The C29 cars of Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi will bear an appropriate inscription. Full story...

The chassis dynamics rig is undoubtedly the most complex tool in the Research & Development department, of any Formula 1 team, and serious race team to be exact. Full story...

Record-breaking automotive pioneer Irv Gordon turns 70 today. And to celebrate, the driver of the highest mileage vehicle on the road, a 1966 Volvo P1800, he aims to reach the unmatchable record of 3 millions miles sometime in the next three years! Full story...

In an interview produced by the Scuderia Toro Rosso, team boss Frank Tost has confirmed that the small Italian team will keep the same driver line-up for next season. Full story...

Strangely, some of the cars we test are quickly forgotten. Just think, every week we have to put a different car through its paces. And in some cases, it takes several hours - sometimes days - to get used to the new ride. But the Infiniti G37x is one of those that just seem to slip from your mind - instantly. Which is actually one of the nicest things you can say about a car. Full story...

In 2010, the DTM will be racing in Italy as well. The most popular international touring car series has extended its existing calendar by one round and will have a race at the Adria International Raceway on October 31st, 2010. Full story...