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The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster was supposed to make its official debut later this week, but a leak on v12vantageroadster.com just gave us the first pictures of the almighty convertible, which boasts a 510-horsepower V12 engine and a number of modifications to ensure that aerodynamics and body stiffness match those of the coupe.

Judging by the serialized plaque, only 101 units will be built. Production is expected to start this fall. As for pricing, early information suggests that the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster will retail for about £150,000 ($237,000).

Photo: Aston Martin

For the first time, a NASCAR series race will be presented on a oval track in Europe, with the Euro Racecars in Tours, on a track that will be specially built for the event.

600 meters long and 30 meters wide, the Tours Speedway will be surrounded by FIA-homologated walls. The Euro Racecars drivers will be back, among them Ander Villarino, Romain Thievin, and Javier Villa, who lead the provisional championship classification.

Photo: Racecarseries.com

Some other racing drivers will join the event, as WTCC three-time champion Yvan Muller will also take part to the race, alongside reigning champion Eric Helary, who will be back at the wheel this week end.

NASCAR officials will also be present in Tours, for this great premiers, that will be organized during the traditional Country Bike and Rock Festival that takes place every year in Tours.

Volkswagen, which already owned a 49.9% stake in Porsche, will buy the remaining 50.1% on August 1st. The deal is worth €4.46 billion ($5.66 billion).

The two parties had agreed in 2009 to merge by the end of 2011, but legal obstacles came in the way. Now that the road is clear, Volkswagen will inch closer to becoming the largest automaker in the world. The group already owns Bugatti, Bentley and Audi, among other brands.

''With Porsche, Audi and Bugatti, Volkswagen AG will now account for 40% of the global luxury car market,'' said Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

The move will somewhat disappoint Porsche, which tried to take over Volkswagen in 2008 but ultimately failed. Still, Porsche is widely expected to benefit from the group's technologies and economies of scale.

Source: bbc.co.uk

From GMM

Convicted former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky has lodged an appeal against the Munich court's ruling, according to media reports.

The 54-year-old German was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail for receiving millions in bribes from Bernie Ecclestone, raising the prospect that F1's high-profile chief executive could also be pursued.

But Gribkowsky's lawyer told Bloomberg news agency on Wednesday that they are appealing, and may also seek his release from custody on bail.

The lawyer, Daniel Amelung, said a new verdict is unlikely until 2013.

German news agency DAPD agreed that the appeals process in Germany takes several months.

Vehicle sales in Canada rose nearly 3 percent in June from a powerhouse month the year before, when industry incentives helped spark a rush of demand. Lifted by a strong appetite for import brands, sales of cars and light trucks in Canada rose 2.

Volkswagen agreed to buy the 50.1 percent stake in Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.46 billion euros ($5.6 billion), ending a seven-year takeover saga that divided two of Germany's most powerful families.

Volkswagen agreed to buy the 50.1 percent stake in Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.46 billion euros ($5.6 billion), ending a seven-year takeover saga that divided two of Germany's most powerful families.

Volkswagen agreed to buy the 50.1 percent stake in Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.46 billion euros ($5.6 billion), ending a seven-year takeover saga that divided two of Germany's most powerful families.

Scott Bailey founded Automobile Quarterly in 1962. The hardbound publication became a respected voice on all subjects automotive and an important chronicle of automotive history.

Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible

For the sixth-generation Corvette's swan song, Chevrolet has finally fixed the car's biggest flaw.

For the sixth-generation Corvette's swan song, Chevrolet has finally fixed the car's biggest flaw. No, not the seats or the interior controls. Those are still terrible. We're talking about the need for more power. Although the car has engine options aplenty, the convertible -- arguably the essence of the Corvette -- has until now featured only the 430-hp, 6.2-liter LS3 V-8. Apparently that's not enough for some buyers.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible - Automobile Magazine

Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Spy shots show Aston Martin is working on a hotter four-door model called the Rapide S

Our reader catches the all-new Ford Mondeo testing in the UK, ahead of its March 2013 release date

Fiat gave an unexpected sneak preview of a crossover variant of its 500 minicar. The model will go on sale in Europe in early 2014 and shortly after in North America.

Fiat 500 owner was told 'book' time for work was 1.5 hours - but the garage charged for 2.3 hours

Fiat 500 owner was told 'book' time for work was 1.5 hours - but the garage charged for 2.3 hours

Our reader wrote to MINI in 2009 to suggest it build a new Clubvan

Citroen reveals restyled C5 as well as a new set of alloys for the DS5, which bring CO2 emissions down to 99g/km

Citroen reveals restyled C5 as well as a new set of alloys for the DS5, which bring CO2 emissions down to 99g/km

Global sales of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars grew at the slowest monthly rate so far this year in June, rising 0.9 percent to 121,542, the automaker said on Wednesday.

Mercedes has revealed details of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake before it arrives early next year