Auto News 5

DEARBORN, Mich. - The 2011 Ford Explorer has been redesigned from bottom to top, inside and out to meet the needs of SUV drivers from Dubuque to Dubai. While the atmospheric conditions of eastern Iowa can be closely replicated in Ford's Dearborn, Mich., facilities, there's no substitute for being there when validating vehicle capabilities for Dubai customers.   Full story...

Bulgaria demonstrated it is serious about joining the F1 calendar by sending a senior government minister to the Italian grand prix; Rome grand prix officials have announced that a five-year contract for a formula one street race in the Italian capital was signed at Monza on Friday. Full story...

DJ Kennington ultimately crossed the finish line in first, winning the Wild Wing 300 in front of Don Thomson Jr. in a photo finish Saturday night at Barrie Speedway. Full story...

Other teams would be "stupid" to see Wednesday's FIA ruling as a green light to use team orders. That is the opinion of McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, after his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner hinted that he might need to now deploy team orders to secure the 2010 title. Full story...

Sebastien Ogier sealed victory on Rally Japan at the Sapporo Dome super special this afternoon to collect his second rally victory at world championship level. Full story...

Flavio Briatore has denied reports he is close to working with Pirelli; Virgin team boss John Booth has played down reports he is considering replacing Lucas di Grassi for the 2011 season; Pastor Maldonado is now close to switching to F1 for 2011; Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman has played down rumours the champion is reconsidering his decision to return to formula one. Full story...

Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas are officially the most important winners in one season of the history of the Grand-Am Road Racing Rolex Sports Car Series. With nine victories in 12 races this season, the winning pair was unbeatable. Full story...

The intended configuration of Red Bull's car for the Italian grand prix failed the FIA's more stringent floor flexibility tests. Full story...

In a fairy tale reversal of fortune Denny Hamlin bounced back from last week's blown engine to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. Full story...

Fernando Alonso was the fastest in qualifying, pleasing the tifosi. On Sunday, he put icing on the cake by winning in front of a full house. Felipe Massa took third place finish behind Jenson Button making it two in two for Ferrari, on the podium, this week-end. Full story...

Think for a second at the meaning of this review's title... Actually, the title should read: The one I've been waiting for. I have personally been a big fan of the TL since the mid-90s. When the second generation of the car arrived in 1999, I was in heaven. By 2004, for this iteration of the car, it was (and still is) the only alternative to anything German from that time. One thing and one thing only was missing in the car and it was AWD. Full story...

Hyundai boosted U.S. output of its best-selling vehicle, the Sonata, in August with capacity created by the planned production transfer of the Santa Fe crossover. That model will now be built at corporate affiliate Kia's plant in Georgia. Full story...

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Without a doubt, the S5 is one of my favorite cars available today. There's a perfect mix of luxury and sport in the S5, which is unmatched in the luxury segment. Full story...

Until recently, most electric vehicles have had a range of just a few dozen miles, limiting their usefulness and appeal. Full story...

Yoshihiko Takahashi chuckles politely when asked if he is weary of having the same conversation with passengers every day as he shuttles them around Tokyo in his white and blue all-electric taxi. Full story...

Until recently, most electric vehicles have had a range of just a few dozen miles, limiting their usefulness and appeal. Full story...

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced a significant new marketing initiative to showcase the strength of Nissan's innovative product portfolio and build on 10 straight months of sales growth for the Nissan brand in the U.S. market. The campaign, to be headlined under the theme "Innovation for All," will launch on Aug. 28 and permeate a variety of medium and targets over the next several months. Full story...

Ever pressing towards greater and greater environmental sensibility, Honda launched a hybrid variant of their popular Accord sedan for the 2005 model year. The relatively short-lived model lasted through till 2007 and was never exactly a sales success--though it furthered the automaker's reputation in the hybrid vehicle scene to some degree. Full story...

GP2 could become F1's official 'Junior Series', with formula one teams allied formally to junior outfits in the feeder category. Full story...

Shrugging off one sideways moment, Kevin Harvick held off a determined Brad Keselowski to win the NASCAR Nationwide Race in Richmond Saturday. Full story...