Auto News 5

Ontario has toughened its impaired driving laws to drive home the message that drinking and driving is not acceptable under any circumstance. Full story...

HUNTSVILLE, Ontario -- They're calling it Touareg TDI, but could just have easily called it Touareg Take Two. Take One debuted in 2003 as a unique SUV proposition -- a full-bore mountain climber that came at no compromise to luxury, convenience or safety. Available with three stout engines (V6, V8, V10 diesel), a high-tech air-suspension system, and a host of other neat stuff, the Touareg seemed destined for upward mobility. Full story...

The Federation internationale de l'automobile has confirmed the introduction of a budget cap in Formula 1 for 2010, and the amount has been set to £40 million (44m euros). Full story...

New teams entering the Formula 1 World Championship next year will receive financial support, and some rules have been changed to cut the costs down a little bit more. Full story...

Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber is surprised that Michael Schumacher's latest fall hasn't put him off motorcycle racing completely. Full story...

Ron Dennis' departure appears to have contributed to the 'slap on the wrist' penalty given to McLaren by the World Motor Sport Council. Full story...

A series of strange video clips were posted on YouTube recently. One of them shows two burglers loading Danica Patrick Indy car into a trailer and driving off the Indianapolis circuit in the middle of the night. Full story...

Another technical advantage to be enjoyed by cost-capped formula one teams next year will be double the KERS power boost. Full story...

MANHATTAN, New York, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotham Dream Cars (GDC), New York and Miami's premier "ultra-exotic" car rental company and membership car club, will hold their first-ever Legends Dream Car Tour(TM) on June 9 and 10, 2009, giving car enthusiasts the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive the latest Lamborghinis alongside famed Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni. Full story...

Increasingly sophisticated on-board entertainment, navigation and information systems are among the must-have features of today's premium cars, but adjusting and monitoring their functions can risk taking a driver's attention away from the road ahead. Designing a centralised control system that is simple to understand, intuitive to use and likely to cause the least distraction from the job of driving was a key challenge for Lexus in designing the new RX 450h. Full story...

The new international film star, featured in an original advertising campaign, is the Lancia Delta: the car that revolutionises product placement and publicity. Full story...

(TORONTO) - Canadian drivers concerned about their environmental footprint know Toyota has a proven recipe for success: Take one of North America's most popular passenger cars and make things better by boosting its environmental performance and driving comfort with the addition of cleaner, efficient hybrid power. Full story...

IRVINE, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Jenkins to the position of Design Director, Mazda Design Americas (MDA). Full story...

HERNDON, Va., Apr 30, 2009 - Before stepping into a new car, you need to step into a dealership - an experience which has long been characterized as hectic, overwhelming, and disjointed. But what if a dealership was designed like a luxury vehicle itself, where every detail was taken into account - down to the flowers and coffee cups? The Audi commitment to progress goes beyond vehicles to redefining dealerships themselves. Full story...

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 30, 2009 - Chrysler LLC today announced that, as a result of the comprehensive restructuring plan agreed to by many of its stakeholders, it has reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to form a vibrant new company. It will allow Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimize their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. Fiat powertrains and components will also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. Full story...

DEARBORN, Mich., April 30, 2009 - Today's announcement that Chrysler is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy is an important development during this unprecedented period for the auto industry and the global economy. Full story...

Chrysler's UAW members, facing the specter of the automaker seeking bankruptcy as early as Thursday, approved contract concessions that may help the company win additional U.S. rescue loans. Full story...

A UAW union local representing some workers at a Chrysler LLC stamping plant in Twinsburg, Ohio, approved a modified labor contract with the automaker, the local said tonight. Full story...

President Barack Obama said tonight he is more optimistic than he was a month ago about Chrysler's prospects for surviving as a viable company in a merger with Fiat S.p.A. because of concessions made by lenders and unions. Full story...

Chrysler LLC and Fiat S.p.A. are prepared to complete an alliance by Thursday that would be taken into bankruptcy court as a key element of the U.S. automaker's restructuring plan if needed, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said. Full story...