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Porsche uses phone-formatted bar codes to connect with customers

Porsche is harnessing the power of smartphones, using Microsoft Tag bar codes to provide dealership customers with unique information about the cars they're looking at. Buyers can scan the square stickers with a properly equipped phone, and the application will take them to dedicated microsites where they can see stats, videos and pictures of the car, along with audio clips of a flat-six engine revving up. Through the microsite, buyers can provide contact info for a follow-up call from Porsche salespeople.

Hyundai Genesis sedan loses an engine option, gains more tech for 2013

Hyundai is dropping the 4.6-liter V8 in the Genesis sedan lineup for 2013. The 5.0-liter V8 will continue in the R-Spec model, while the rest will get Hyundai's 3.8-liter V6. Hyundai has also enhanced the optional eight-inch Driver Information System, which is now more intuitive, with a rotating joystick, better voice recognition and improved navigation-screen layouts.

Top Gear: John Prescott, Jaguar XJ, Porsche 959 Ferrari F40 & Moon Buggy

John Prescott is this week's SIARPC on Top Gear That’s it, then. The end of Top Gear ’til later in the year, so the Sky+ won’t have much work on a Sunday until F1 returns in four weeks time. Tonight the Beeb are chuffed to have bagged John Prescott to be this week’s Star in a reasonably priced car and spar with Jeremy.