Auto News 5

Long known for spacious versatility, unique styling and generous use of low-budget interior plastics, the Dodge Caliber is entering 2011 repackaged and re-equipped to make it more appealing than ever. Popular with value-minded shoppers after an affordable machine with plenty of flexibility and space, Dodge's five-door 'mini crossover' offers up a car-like ride and numerous strengths found in small SUV models. Full story...

Nasser Al Attiyah (Volkswagen) has closed in on a victory at the Dakar after he taking the win in Thursday's stage, while his teammate and rival Carlos Sainz lost about an hour to fix a broken suspension. Full story...

Barely a month after he collected the FIA prize for the best promoter of 2010, the Korean grand prix's Yung Cho Chung has been ousted. Full story...

Canadian Maryeve Dufault has completed three days of testing at the Daytona International Speedway behind the wheel of the No.12 car of Tony Marks Racing in preparation for the upcoming ARCA season opener in February. Full story...

The Geneva Auto Show will open its doors to the public this year from March 3 through 13, but already Subaru is announcing a global product launch. Full story...

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the award finalists for the best new car, utility vehicle and design of 2011. Full story...

On Thursday, Kia unveiled the newest member of the Sportage lineup at the Montreal International Auto Show. The new SX model will hit showrooms in late winter with a base MSRP of $36,995. Full story...

Kia has announced that its UVO communications and entertainment system will be offered in select vehicles as of this spring. Full story...

VANCOUVER, B.C.- The 2011 Vancouver International Auto Show launched its second-annual Dream Car Lottery today, which will award one lucky ticket buyer with a brand-new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL550 convertible while raising funds for various charitable, non-profit and sport organizations supported by the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC. Full story...

Nasser Al Attiyah (Volkswagen) has closed in on a victory at the Dakar after he taking the win in Thursday's stage, while his teammate and rival Carlos Sainz lost about an hour to fix a broken suspension. Full story...

A non-competing driver of the Dakar rally was killed on Thursday after he was involved in a road accident with the Toyota of Argentinean drivers Eduardo Osvaldo Amor and Alejandro Horacio Fenoglio. Full story...

The Lotus Renault GP Formula 1 team will race with a British license this season. Full story...

F1 engineers will work with the sport's new engine formula for 2013 to create a "sexy" sound. Full story...

Maurizio Flammini says Bernie Ecclestone wants Rome to alternate with Monza. Full story...

Nasser Al Attiyah (Volkswagen) closes in on Dakar victory after he took win in Thursday's stage, while his team mate and rival Carlos Sainz lost about an hour to fix a broken suspension. Full story...

Colin Kolles has categorically denied FOTA's claim that HRT was suspended from the teams association due to not paying its membership fee. Full story...

I just love the way Ford has chosen to describe the exterior of the new Fiesta. They call it a "kinetic design" and as near as I can figure out, that means a busy design. When you look at the Fiesta and can pick your favourite angle, there is always something going on design-wise that will attract your eye. Every panel has a curve, a crease or a fold in it that makes a sitting car look mobile and a moving car look even better. Full story...

Chrysler says the new Dodge Viper sports car is going to be 'drop-dead beautiful' and is meant to draw buyers from Porsche and GM's Corvette. Full story...

Kia Motors America is bolstering its certified used vehicle sales program by listing its inventory online and providing vehicle history reports to customers. Kia said today it signed a deal to list its inventory of certified used cars on Autotrader. Full story...

Ford told salaried workers today they won't receive raises this year, saying their compensation is commensurate with other large U.S. companies. Full story...