GM posts $7.6 billion profit for 2011

General Motors on Thursday posted a $7.6 billion profit for 2011, while recording its smallest quarterly profit of the year in the fourth quarter. Net income for the October-through-December period fell 7 percent from the year-earlier period to $472 million, as a $562 million loss in Europe--the steepest of the year there--weighed on the automaker's bottom line. North American earnings nearly doubled.

Driven: Jaguar XF

It is possibly harder to design a Jaguar than any other premium car brand. The essence of the firm's highly regarded design language is over 40 years old with the shadow of the 1961 E-type and 1968 XJ6 - and even the 1955 Mk1/1959 Mk2 - looming large. For decades the design group has taken cues from these old designs and reinterpreted them to appease the traditionalist Jaguar customer, but in doing so they have reinforced the 'old-man' image of Jaguar and pushed many customers to Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

2012 Audi Q5 Facelift – first photos

2012 Audi Q5 Facelift - but you need to look hard The Audi Q5 is getting a facelift – although you’ll need to look hard to spot it – and will be revealed at Beijing tomorrow. We had wondered if we’d see a concept of the Audi Q5 Cabriolet at Beijing as Audi rushes to match the Evoque’s niche offering of a drop-top SUV. But it seems the Q5 news for Beijing, apart from the arrival of the Q5 RS Concept, is a facelift for the Q5 – although you’ll need to look hard to see it.