Auto News 5

NASCAR announced Friday a revision to the 2009 Budweiser Shootout format that provides each manufacturer with a "wild card" entry, increasing the size of the field from 24 to 28 cars. Full story...

Detroit - For a fourth consecutive year, Chinese cars were on exhibit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). BYD and Brilliance showed ten vehicles or so, including a prototype. And this year again, the message was the same: We are coming! Only, we don't when yet. Full story...

Team Modena announced that Leo Mansell, son of 1992 Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell, will be one of the drivers in the team's LM GT2 Ferrari 430GT for the 2009 Le Mans Series - and the Le Mans 24-Hour race itself. Full story...

Today at the Montreal Auto Show, Infiniti showed those in attendance the 2009 G37 Convertible. The drop-top variant of the popular coupe is brings the G lineup even closer to the full-out selection offered by some of the market's most successful models. Full story...

Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. Two of Nissans upcoming models were presented today at the Montreal Auto Show to give those in attendance a glimpse into the brand's near future. One of the models shown was the stunning and freshly-sharpened 370Z sports car. The other was the Nissan cube. Full story...

Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. Two of Nissans upcoming models were presented today at the Montreal Auto Show to give those in attendance a glimpse into the brand's near future. One of the models shown was the stunning and freshly-sharpened 370Z sports car. The other was the Nissan cube. Full story...

The second generation Honda Insight was on display today at the 41st annual Montreal Auto Show, promising shoppers an affordable and cutting edge means to save fuel and do their part for the environment. The latest Insight boasts many unique features- notable among them being a driver-selected 'eco' mode and a mileage-coaching 'Eco Assist' drive system. Full story...

In a move to promote green technologies, the AJAC initiated its first annual Best New Green Technology award, and the winner was announced at the Montreal Auto Show. General Motors' Two-Mode Hybrid technology was recognized as the best this year, a powertrain that consists of a 6.0-litre V8 and an electric motor that produce a combined output of 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque, while consuming just 9.8 L/100 km in the city. Full story...

Michael Waltrip Racing owner Michael Waltrip says that he will run the No. 00 Toyota team for the full Sprint Cup season despite still having to find complete sponsorship for driver David Reutimann. Full story...

Formula 1's new Swiss racer, Sébastien Buemi, insists he will continue to reside officially in Bahrain this year despite driving for the Italian-based Toro Rosso team. Full story...

The famous Italian drinks firm Martini did not renew its Ferrari sponsorship ahead of the 2009 Formula 1 season. Full story...

Yet another new model and new vehicle class have been debuted at the Montreal Auto Show. The all-new Kia Soul was presented today at its Canadian debut, and the automaker says their so-called 'urban crossover' line will offer shoppers a small, expressive, efficient and stylish machine to keep up with a busy schedule. Full story...

One of the biggest surprises in last year's auto show circuit was on hand for inspection by Montreal Auto Show attendees today. Some call it a 'crossover sedan'- and the Toyota Venza is now on sale and offering shoppers a do-it-all vehicle that appeals to countless needs. Full story...

All indications around the Mercedes GLK at this year's Auto Show circuit point in the direction of a hit. The German premium manufacturer is using the GLK to make their late but highly anticipated foray into the mid-sized SUV segment- stressing that it is in fact an SUV and not some mushy crossover. It's quite the looker, too. Full story...

Formula 1's new Swiss racer, Sébastien Buemi, insists he will continue to reside officially in Bahrain this year despite driving for the Italian-based Toro Rosso team. Full story...

Michael Waltrip Racing owner Michael Waltrip says that he will run the No. 00 Toyota team for the full Sprint Cup season despite still having to find complete sponsorship for driver David Reutimann. Full story...

Montreal - The first Canadian event in the auto show season kicked off yesterday with a full day of previews and activities for journalists and marquee guests. Excitement is sky-high this year at the Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS), with a long list of Canadian debuts and even a North American premiere. Full story...

The RX-8 didn't need to be any more agile or sporty, but Mazda's dialed it up a notch anyways with their new-for-2009 R3 package. Building on the machine's recent makeover, the R3 kit adds a few goodies to get the tuner and performance buffs talking around the water cooler. Sunroof? Gone. Power seats? Gone. Lip-kit? Very much. The R3 add-ons give RX-8 a strictly race-track appearance. Full story...

Formula Palmer Audi frontrunner Jolyon Palmer is the latest addition to the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship line-up. Full story...

At the launch of the new MP4-24 single seater on Friday, McLaren's Ron Dennis announced he is to shortly hand over the reins of the Mercedes powered team to his long time deputy Martin Whitmarsh. Full story...