Auto News 5

New sub-Cayenne SUV based on the Audi Q5 confirmed by Porsche board.

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With a mid-life facelift, Honda Europe has dumped the unpopular i-shift automated manual transmission from the Jazz [Fit] and brought back the constantly variable transmission used for the previous generation. Full story...

The sale of Nexteer Automotive by General Motors to Pacific Century Motors (PCM) of China has completed. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but estimates of USD450m mean that it represents China's biggest single investment in the global automotive components industry. Full story...

Porsche will probably succeed in convincing preferred shareholders to support a 5 billion-euro ($6.9 billion) stock sale because the deal may offer the chance to buy into Volkswagen at a discount, investors said. Full story...

Steelmaker ThyssenKrupp gave an upbeat outlook for 2011 after the economic boom in its German home market and cost cuts offset ramp-up expenses of new plants in its last quarter. Full story...

VW has been given approval by the European Union for its planned purchase of various auto businesses belonging to bankrupt German company Karmann. The decision paves the way for the automaker to start production of a new Golf convertible next spring. Full story...

Toyota will pay to fix about 650,000 Prius models worldwide for a coolant pump glitch that could cause the top-selling hybrid to overheat and lose power. The repair campaign covers Prius cars for the model years 2004 to 2007. Full story...

Porsche's supervisory board signed off on developing a smaller, cheaper SUV, which will be aimed a younger customers who can't afford the Cayenne SUV, the German brand's best-selling model. Full story...

Toyota will cover the cost of repairs to 650,000 Prius cars that have a coolant pump problem that could cause the hybrid to overheat and lose power. The repair campaign covers Prius cars for the model years 2004 to 2007. Full story...

U.S. November auto sales held above 12 million vehicles on an annual basis, a gain of about 10 percent from a year earlier, driven by month-end discounts and a slow return in consumer demand, according to analysts. Full story...

It's widely believed that on-board Internet access will become a regular option in cars as technology makes the necessary mass-market breakthroughs in the next few years. Full story...

Fiat's deal to supply Opel/Vauxhall with at least 250,000 units of a new light van range has some interesting background that must have executives at both companies experiencing a little déjà vu. Full story...

Fiat will supply GM's Opel/Vauxhall unit with at least 250,000 units of a new light van. The vehicles will succeed the Opel/Vauxhall Combo and will be built on Fiat's existing platform for its Doblo van. Full story...

Porsche has officially announced their intention of introducing new model ranges in order to increase their offering to the buying public. The first result of this decision will be the Cajun, an efficient and sporty entry-level SUV/CUV made to attract new and younger customers. By enlarging the range of available products, the company is clearly indicating that they are not different from others, as they want to improve sales figures and that the best way to do so is through volume. Full story...

The 100% electric Nissan LEAF has been awarded 2011 European Car of the Year, beating 40 contenders to win Europe's most important motoring prize. Voted by 57 motorist journalists coming from 23 European countries, it's the first time in the 47-year history of the annual competition that this award is given to an electric vehicle. Full story...

If you are a fan of Volkswagen and Audi like many of us here at Auto123, you will be pleased to know that Audi has taken the wraps off its TT GT4 concept and that the company wants to offer this car as a «base option for affordable motorsports». If your definition of affordable is to have a 160 000$ car and beat the hell out of it on a racetrack, you have found your perfect match! Full story...

Today, Auto123 is launching a debate. Which one between a Ferrari 458 Italia or a Ducati 1198S is faster? We are already hearing you say that the outcome will depend if the test is done on a straight line or on a race track. Full story...

The first Chevrolet Volt available for retail sale will be offered at public auction with the proceeds benefiting math and science education in the Detroit Public Schools. General Motors North America President Mark Reuss made the announcement of the event at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, where the car is assembled. Full story...

There are some people who don't believe in downsizing. For them, bigger is better, and you won't convince them to trade-in their full-size SUV for something smaller, something more environmentally-friendly. Forget it. Won't happen. Full story...

The name "Wolf" is well known in the Formula 1 world. It was at the wheel of the gorgeous Wolf WR1 that South African driver Jody Scheckter nearly clinched the 1977 World Championship! Full story...