Auto News 5

Zombie fans will be pleased to learn that Hyundai's Special Edition Tucson inspired by The Walking Dead will be available in limited quantity at dealerships starting early next year -- just in time to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the graphic novel series.

Equipped with a 4-cylinder Theta II GDI engine, LED taillights, and dual-zone climate control, this unique Tucson features roof rack cross rails that provide additional room for hauling necessary survival gear. Heck, there's even a custom Zombie Survival Kit inside -- a Walking Dead 72-hour survivalist's backpack, a necessary item for any zombie “prepper.”

The Ash Black exterior sports a subtle red accent graphics package and Special Edition badges.

Hyundai has yet to announce prices and markets for the Special Edition Tucson inspired by The Walking Dead.

Photo: Hyundai

Former 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 champion Mikhail Aleshin will be the first Russian ever to compete in the IndyCar series after inking a deal with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

Aleshin will replace Tristan Vautier and team-up with regular Simon Pagenaud for the 2014 season. The 26-year-old tested a Schmidt's Dallara-Honda for the first time at Sebring last weekend and the team has been impressed with his performance so far.

"We have already found his driving style to be very similar to Simon's and believe he can contribute immediately to the programme, even as a rookie," said team boss Sam Schmidt.

Aleshin has primarily raced in FR3.5 since 2006, interspersed with partial GP2 campaigns, some sportscar racing and finishing third in the first year of the revived Formula 2 series in 2009.

Simon Pagenaud testing for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports this week at Sebring. (Photo: Schmidt Peterson Motorsports)

The Ford Edge Concept revealed this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show suggests a somewhat sportier-looking, more aerodynamic third generation for the automaker's crossover utility vehicle. It also sports ultra-thin LED headlights and a larger three-bar grille.

Advanced safety features on the Ford Edge Concept include adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, active park assist, a blind spot information system, and a lane-keeping system.

Photo: Ford

“The rate of change in vehicle technology right now is unprecedented,” noted Raj Nair, Ford group vice president of global product development. “Our engineers around the world are advancing the systems that will ultimately help make drivers smarter, safer and more efficient. From advanced engine systems to collision avoidance and automated driving systems, Ford will continue to lead in delivering the technologies consumers want and need.”

The interior of the Ford Edge Concept presents a hand-sewn Nubuck leather dashboard, a 10'' display with MyFord Touch, as well as a unique steering wheel and shifter. Leather seats are also part of the mix.

Photo: Ford

From GMM

Mark Webber will waste no time at all before leaping into his new Le Mans career.

News Limited newspapers say the Australian's Porsche era will begin on the day after Sunday's Brazilian grand prix.

Normally, F1 drivers remain under contract until the end of the calendar year, but the reports said Red Bull has given Webber, who has already had a seat fitting at Porsche's Weissach facility, "an early release".

"We are very lucky that Mark will join us one day after the formula one race in Sao Paulo," Porsche chief executive Matthias Muller confirmed.

"I met him last week when he had the seat fitting. We are very happy to have him," he said.

News Limited speculated that Webber's early release could have been helped by a new personal sponsorship deal between the 37-year-old and Red Bull, for whom he drove in F1 for the past seven years.

Matthias Muller said Webber will also get an early start to his Porsche testing duties: "I suppose it is in December," he revealed.

Photo: Porsche Motorsport

But before that, in Brazil, Webber will spend one more race alongside his ultra-successful teammate Sebastian Vettel.

On Thursday, the German ruled out righting the wrongs of the 'Multi-21' team orders affair by gifting Webber a farewell win.

"Mark is a sportsman and he doesn't want a win handed over to him," said Vettel.

"People tend to forget how successful we have been," he added. "We've been one of the strongest pairings in F1.

"Obviously we didn't have the best relationship on a personal level, but both of us have tried very hard to improve the car. The fact that he will not be around next year will surely be a loss for the team and a loss for myself. I've learned a lot from him and I can stand up straight and say that there have been many times and places where I've benefited from him. You could say the same thing the other way round," added Sebastian Vettel.

GM is running a Black Friday sales promotion for nearly two weeks on some of its most popular vehicles, offering buyers nationwide the same discounted prices the company offers to employees of its suppliers.

George Blankenship, the lead architect of Tesla's sales strategy and distribution network for more than three years, has left the automaker.

U.S. regulators blocked automakers from promoting vehicle safety ratings of more than 5 stars, three months after Tesla touted an outsized score on its Model S electric car.

Just days after a tornado severely damaged its building and inventory, Eriks Chevrolet in Kokomo, Ind., is open and selling cars.

Yamaha Motiv.e City Car Concept Unveiled at 2013 Tokyo Auto Show

This new Yamaha Motiv.e city car is based on the Gordon Murray Design microcars.

It seems that Gordon Murray Design (GMD) has finally found a development partner with which to license its innovative microcar designs, as Yamaha unveiled the Motiv.e city car concept at the 2013 Tokyo auto show.

Photo Gallery: Yamaha Motiv.e City Car Concept Unveiled at 2013 Tokyo Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Yamaha Motiv.e City Car Concept Unveiled at 2013 Tokyo Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

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Dealer software giant Reynolds and Reynolds purchased XtreamService, a niche maker of customer retention software that helps dealers determine prospects who can buy new cars for the same or lower monthly payments as the vehicles they are driving.

Honda's mid-sized Accord sedan was named Green Car of the Year on Thursday.

Just a few hours from now, Australians Rod Wade and Michael Flanders will depart Staten Island, N.Y., in a 1930 Ford Model A, bound for Los Angeles.

Driving the New VW Golf a Half-Year Before Its U.S. Premier

Sampling three flavors of VW Golf in England.

While Europeans can have the pleasure walking into a Volkswagen dealer and buying the new seventh-generation Golf now, Americans must wait a bit longer. During a recent trip to England, I spent time in three variations of the newest German four-door hatchback: A Golf GT 2.0 TDI with a dual-clutch DSG automatic, a Golf GT 1.4 TSI with a six-speed manual, and a Golf GTI with a six-speed DSG.

Photo Gallery: Driving the New VW Golf a Half-Year Before Its U.S. Premier - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driving the New VW Golf a Half-Year Before Its U.S. Premier - Automobile Magazine

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Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles are moving slowly out of the science project phase and onto the roads of the real world. Now the struggle shifts from making the technology reliable to bringing down the price.

News 21 Nov, 2013

Nissan reveals high-performance concept of its US-only saloon, powered by a 240bhp version of the Juke Nismo engine

Shares in auto supplier Johnson Controls rose to their highest level since at least 1980 after the company said it will boost a stock-buyback program by $3 billion on greater confidence in its outlook for fiscal 2014 and beyond.

News 21 Nov, 2013

Jaguar Land Rover CEO speaks to Auto Express about the company's British DNA and its plans for growth

Lexus has taken the wraps off a refreshed 2014

News 21 Nov, 2013

You can now download two free editions of Auto Express on the iPad, featuring the latest news from the LA and Tokyo motor shows

Mazda has cut its 2013 China sales target by 7.5% to 185,000 vehicles due to tough competition.