Auto News 5

Following an exceptionally high level of performance demonstrated by all participants in the Selection Event, 12 drivers have been chosen for the first FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy. Full story...

"Man, when did Volvo's get sexy?" Considering a new S60 as an addition to your driveway or parking space? You'll want to have an answer to that question ready--as you'll be asked it a lot. The new-for-2011 S60 has officially done away with the Lego-inspired styling that characterized the Swedish brand for generations, and many folks curiously comment about the elegant, swoopy and understated look of Volvo's latest work. Full story...

McLaren is not only using its fantastic simulator to develop their Formula 1 cars. The simulator has been also used to fine-tune the handling of the new MP4-12C road car. Full story...

F1's owner has launched an investigation into the takeover of the sport five years ago. Full story...

Continuing its commitment to fuel economy, Hyundai launched the third-generation Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) at the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy 2011 conference in Washington, DC. Full story...

Although no Sprint Cup cars hit the Daytona track on Monday and Tuesday, NASCAR officials reduced the size of the restrictor plate opening from 29/32nds to 57/64ths. Full story...

Porsche revealed some details today about the most recent addition to its range of hybrid vehicles, highlighting the importance of the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy for the brands future with the all-new Panamera S Hybrid. Full story...

As scheduled, Lotus Renault GP driver Robert Kubica was back in surgery today Wednesday as doctors at Santa Corona Hospital in Italy treated the complex fracture to his elbow. Full story...

Former World Champion Lewis Hamilton's younger brother is set to kick off his own motor racing career. Full story...

Lotus Renault GP is pleased to announce that Nick Heidfeld has joined the team, taking over driving duties from the injured Robert Kubica, starting at this week's test session in Barcelona. Full story...

Year after year, the Geneva Motor Show is one of the stops on the auto show circuit that stages the most world premieres. Land Rover is sticking its oar in for 2011, in the shape of the Range_e plug-in hybrid prototype. Full story...

Chrysler Group, aiming at first-time buyers of big pickups, said today it will launch a new Ram 1500 model priced at $23,830. The truck, which goes by the code-name Adventurer, will have a standard 5. Full story...

Tesla Motors, the U.S. electric automaker backed by Daimler and Toyota, said its revenue this year may rise as much as 50 percent because of higher demand for its rechargeable vehicles and battery packs. Full story...

First Drive: 2012 Audi A6

Completing the triumvirate.

Change at the top
Audi's new A6 is the third new model in the brand's large-sedan family. The redesigned A8 flagship went on sale in the States last fall, the new A7 fastback sedan reaches U.S. dealers in May, and the redesigned A6 completes the changeover when it arrives in September as a 2012 model.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Audi A6 - First Drive - Automobile Magazine

First Drive: 2012 Audi A6 | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

There's history, and then there's deep history. Chrysler reached all the way back to the 1950s for the code name of its next Hemi-powered Ram, the "Adventurer." Full story...

Auto companies are resurgent financially and attracting support from powerful Republicans in Congress, placing them on firmer ground to challenge moves toward even stricter U.S. fuel-efficiency standards. Full story...

Daimler AG appointed Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, a former constitutional judge, to a new position on its management board overseeing integrity and legal affairs. Full story...

Chrysler Group -- more reliant on rental car agencies, governments and other bulk buyers in recent years - said fleet sales as a percentage of its U.S. deliveries will drop to the industry average this year. Chrysler's U.S. Full story...

Lincoln replaces the Town Car with the MKT Town Car, Infiniti previews a concept car for Geneva, join the Twitter chat with news editor Greg Migliore and Lexus and Nissan get their swimsuits on. Full story...

Production of the Saab 9-4X crossover began this week at a Mexican plant operated by Saab's former parent, General Motors Co. The first vehicle, an Ice Pearl metallic Aero model with a 2. Full story...