Auto News 5

Stunning new Subaru-based coupe spied testing in Germany, set for 2012 debut

Astra Automotive is the brand born out of Lampion & Co Ltd. The company has been serving the automotive aftermarket since the early 1980s. In addition to selling replacement light bulbs, the company supplies a range of wiper blades, electrical parts and vehicle maintenance equipment. just-auto talked with Leon Callahan, managing director and Robert Jones, director of Astra Automotive about some notable trends in the vehicle lighting sector.

Avis Europe, the second-biggest car rental company in Europe, is planning to capitalize on the popularity of car-sharing schemes such as Daimler's car2go and BMW's DriveNow, by offering an hourly rental program throughout Europe this year.

Toyota has said it expects delivery of its new Prius Alpha model in Japan to be delayed due to the impact of the 11 March earthquake but the automaker's US unit said the Prius v is still on target for a autumn launch there.

BorgWarner and Honeywell have settled their lawsuit over a patent infringement which will see Honeywell pay US$32.5m for a licence to use BorgWarner patents.

Baby SUV will start from £24,560, order books are open now with first deliveries in November.

Ultimate hot turbocharged Fiesta caught at the Nurburgring

PSA and Renault were among the hardest hit in a European car sales decline in April, the region's 12th drop in 13 months. Registrations fell 3.8 percent from a year earlier to 1.

Daimler and Rolls-Royce secured a 3.4 billion-euro ($4.8 billion) takeover of German engine maker Tognum after raising their offer and gaining the support of the company's board.

Continental, the world's fourth-largest tiremaker, is spending around $524 million (370 million euros) and adding around 1,200 jobs as it builds a new plant in the south of the U.S. and expands an Illinois factory to meet growing demand.

Volkswagen is seeking five seats on the supervisory board of MAN SE, as part of its plan to increase its control over the truckmaker, which it is hoping to merge with affiliate Scania AB, according to sources.

Robert Huff (Chevrolet) took win in both races presented in Monza, and pulls away in front of provisional classification.

Lotus Renault team boss is glad to view Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov able to fight themselves for a good position.

Mark Webber is headed into a backseat role for the rest of the 2011 world championship.

With father's day fast approaching, it's all about finding that perfect, unique gift. And for the motorhead father, you've surely given him enough car-cleaning kits to last him a lifetime and he's so over the idea of adding another ironic automotive keychain to his collection that he's told you flat out not to buy them anymore.

Mark Smith has finally made his switch to Team Lotus.

Marussia Virgin is set to announce the Canadian driver Robert Wickens as its new reserve driver.

Christopher Zanella clinched victory in both rounds of the Formula 2 Championship presented in Magny-Cours, and takes the lead in the standings.

Late last week, a video featuring Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May at the University of Lincoln, UK hit the web. Their stunt involved students pushing a depleted Nissan LEAF. Electric car advocates immediately cried foul, arguing that it was an elaborate setup similar to the TV show's 2008 evaluation of the Tesla Roadster.

"SICK CADILLAC!!!! Is that the one with the supercharged V8?!" I was at the gas station pumping some unleaded into the 2011 CTS4 Coupe, when an excited young gentleman spotted it and swooped in for a closer look. "Nope, just the standard car, V6" I replied.