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Instead of the Los Angeles or Tokyo Auto Show, Lincoln chose to hold a separate event in the Big Apple to introduce the production version of its all-new MKC, which initially appeared in concept form earlier this year in Detroit.

As the brand's first compact luxury CUV, the 2015 Lincoln MKC will enter the assembly plant in the second quarter of 2014 ahead of its summer release. It will rival the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Lincoln MKC 2015. (Photo: Lincoln)

Combining the refinement of a premium sedan with the practicality of a sporty SUV, the 2015 Lincoln MKC features HID headlamps with signature LED accents. Once parked, sensing your approach (up to 8.8 feet away), the MKC's door-handle pockets glow in the colour of your vehicle, and a welcome light illuminates the ground.

Inside the five-passenger cabin of the 2015 Lincoln MKC, you'll find aluminum accents, genuine wood trim, soft-touch materials, and leather upholstery. Key features include a shifter with start/stop button, MyLincoln Touch with SYNC, an 8'' touchscreen, and a 14-speaker THX II premium sound system.

Meanwhile, the 2015 Lincoln MKC comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 240 horsepower. Another EcoBoost unit, this one rated at 275 horsepower, is optionally available.

Former Lotus Formula 1 driver, Kimi Raikkonen underwent back surgery.

The surgery was performed yesterday at The University Hospital of Strasbourg. Lotus F1 Team is happy to report that the operation was totally successful, according to Professor Afshin Gangi.

Raikkonen will now rest for a few days and he will start his recovery process as early as next week. Everyone at the track and at Enstone wishes him a quick recovery.

Fellow countryman Heikki Kovalainen is driving the Lotus E21 in the final two races of the 2013 season.

Heikki Kovalainen and Eric Boullier. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

From GMM

Stepping straight into a top F1 team is a "massive risk" for a rookie, Jenson Button said on Thursday.

The continuing McLaren driver was referring to the British team's decision to replace Sergio Perez with the new Formula Renault 3.5 champion Kevin Magnussen.

Jenson Button admitted he was surprised to hear of McLaren's decision to give him a new teammate for the second consecutive year, having said recently he thinks Mexican Perez deserved to stay in 2014.

"It's one of those positions where it could light up your career or put an end to your career very early if things don't go well," the 2009 world champion told reporters in Austin.

"It's a massive risk to be put in the deep end, if you like, with a team that should be fighting for a title. But if a driver is willing to take that risk, he has a lot of confidence in himself and his ability," added Button.

Kevin Magnussen. (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

The news has put Perez, just 23, in a difficult position with just two races left to run in 2013.

But, even though McLaren's decision might end his F1 career altogether, Perez has been reasonably polite about the team through the media so far.

McLaren, meanwhile, has paid kind tribute to Perez's contribution and talent.

"Perez thanked McLaren as though they have done him a favour," said a frustrated Michael Schmidt, the highly respected correspondent for Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"And McLaren has praised Perez in a way that makes you wonder why in the world they're separating. It's dishonest," said Schmidt.

"A bit more honesty would be appropriate. McLaren should say why his contract is not being renewed, and Perez should be allowed to say what he thinks about the late notice. If they're both just singing each other's praises, they treat us - the fans - like we're stupid," added Schmidt.

In fact, Perez acknowledged on Thursday that McLaren's late call could leave him without a seat in 2014, and perhaps also 2015.

"Probably I will leave formula one and find something else for a year or two," he told F1's official website.

Perez denied McLaren's call is related to his Mexican backing, but there is no denying that the driver market is being severely affected by commercial considerations ahead of the 2014 season.

The F1-departing Mark Webber on Thursday said it is an "unhealthy" situation for F1.

One example is Sahara Force India. Adrian Sutil has been hinting for a few weeks now that his 2014 contract is signed and sealed, although announced.

He said on Thursday: "It's good to have a contract, but if someone comes along with 30 million, then a contract doesn't have much value."

Subaru and Toyota are in talks to halt production of the Toyota Camry sedan at Subaru's Indiana assembly plant, likely timed to the introduction of the nameplate's next generation.

Jaguar ranks first among luxury brands and Mini topped all nonluxury brands in an annual survey of customer satisfaction with the dealership sales experience, an annual survey released today found.

Jaguar ranks first among luxury brands and Mini topped all nonluxury brands in an annual survey of customer satisfaction with the dealership sales experience, an annual survey released today found.

U.S. regulators may relax some auto-safety requirements on manufacturers that voluntarily install technology preventing cars from starting unless occupants are wearing seat belts.

Ford said it will protect its Ford script and oval logo from use by supporters of embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

Flat fees aren't the only way auto lenders can pay dealers for arranging car loans without a risk of racial bias, top officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said today.

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson believes his successor should be a "change agent" who can guard against any complacency that could allow the automaker to slip back into bad habits, he said during an interview this week.

Audi, BMW, Jaguar,

Ferdinand Land: 1981 Porsche 911SC Targa

Following the footsteps of Ferdinand Porsche in a 1981 911SC Targa.

Welcome to yet another hot and humid summer's day in Vratislavice nad Nisou, some seventy miles north of Prague. They used to speak German in this picture postcard region, which was known as Maffersdorf in the late nineteenth century when Austria-Hungary was the dominating force in central Europe. Now, it's part of the Czech Republic.

Photo Gallery: Ferdinand Land: 1981 Porsche 911SC Targa - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Ferdinand Land: 1981 Porsche 911SC Targa - Automobile Magazine

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Our first instinct upon seeing this Volvo Trucks ad starring Jean-Claude Van Damme was to marvel, mouth slightly agape.

Sollers - a Ford JV partner in Russia posted a RUB637.3m net profit in January-September against a RUB1.07bn net loss in the same period a year ago, the company told Prime News.

The number of highway deaths in the United States during 2012 rose 3 percent to 33,561 -- an increase of 1,082 deaths compared with a year ago -- while the number of people killed in distracted-affected crashes slightly decreased.

Toyota doesn't expect to sell as many cars in Germany as it originally hoped this year as it has failed to keep up with demand for its hybrid-powered cars in the country, an executive told a German paper.

2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition Debuts At 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show

The 2014 Fiat 500 gets a retro appearance package paying tribute to the 1957 original.

Fiat will celebrate the history of its famous 500 with a special-edition car that debuts at the 2013 Los Angeles auto show. The 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition pays homage to the very first year of production for the 1957 Fiat Nuova Cinquecento. Between 1957 and 1975, Fiat built nearly 3.9 million units of the original 500.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition Debuts At 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Fiat 500 1957 Edition Debuts At 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

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While American teenagers were cruising around in finned interstate crushers, Europeans of all ages were discovering the wonder of automobile ownership thanks to the tiny, affordable Fiat Nuova 500, introduced to a car-hungry public in 1957.

A few days ago, we asked you if you would be

News 14 Nov, 2013

The petrol-electric BMW i8 will cost from £99,895 when sales begin in July next year