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Hartmut Warkuss to receive 2014 EyesOn Design Catalyst Award

Hartmut Warkuss, former head of Volkswagen Design, will be awarded the 2014 Catalyst Award by EyesOn Design at next week's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Warkuss, who is credited with overseeing the design of the Bugatti Veyron, the VW Concept (new Beetle) and the Audi TT Concept, will be presented with the award by Peter Schreyer, Hyundai's president and chief design officer and the 2014 recipient of the EyesOn Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award. Schreyer, who met Warkuss when he was an intern at Audi in 1978, says, "He was chief designer at that time...

New car sales in Cuba soured by 400-percent markups

While most analysts expected Cuba's lift of a decades-long ban on the sale of new cars to come with an asterisk or five, few could have predicted that the internationally hailed move would immediately turn out to be a mirage. Private car sales in Cuba have been heavily regulated by the government since 1959, and imports had been banned almost entirely. On Jan.

Award Puts Kia In Seventh Heaven

KIA has received yet another award for its industry-leading, seven-year warranty. First introduced on the European designed and built Cee’d in 2007, the manufacturer-backed warranty is marking its seventh anniversary and has been lauded with the CarBuyer ‘Buyer’s Award’ in its 2014 honours. Since the seven-year warranty was first applied to the Cee’d, 82,884 vehicles have found homes with UK consumers.

60mph M1 motorway speed limit proposed

The government has announced a proposal to lower the motorway speed limit from 70mph to 60mph over a 32-mile stretch of the M1. The plan, which has just been put out to consultation, would lower the speed limit to 60mph between junction 28, near Matlock in Derbyshire, to junction 35a, north of Rotherham – in a bid to improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. On Bing: see pictures of motorway air quality Find out how much a used low CO2 car costs on Auto Trader The current proposal would see the Highways Agency put the 60mph restriction in place between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week.

Audi showcases bright future

AUDI IS to showcase new front lighting technology that uses super-powerful laser diodes just a few thousandths of a millimetre in diameter. But at the same time, the tiny diodes are claimed to be able to light the road ahead for an incredible 500 metres. That gives the technology about double the reach of today’s best LED headlights, with around three times as much overall light output.

Fuchsia pink-detailed Citroen DS3 announced

CITROEN has revealed a new special edition DS3 designed for people whose taste in cars could be compared to Barbie’s. The DS3 Pink will come in two trim levels, each of which will have two engine options, but both grades will share a fuchsia pink roof, door mirrors and wheel centre caps. On the inside there’s a fuchsia dashboard and a matching gear lever knob.

Race2Recovery starts new Dakar challenge

A TEAM of disabled ex-soldiers has arrived in South America to take on this year’s Dakar rally, known as the toughest motoring challenge on the planet. Race2Recovery, the team of severely injured servicemen and civilian volunteers, is taking a second shot at the Dakar after last year becoming the first all-disabled team in history to complete it. This year the 5,600-mile course travels through Argentina and Chile, crossing the Andes mountain range and the Atacama Desert, where temperatures are expected to top 40 degrees Celsius.

New Subaru WRX STI heading for 2014 Detroit Auto Show

New Subaru WRX STI heading for 2014 Detroit Auto Show After a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September – which looked edgy – to a production reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November – which didn’t – plans for the 2014 Subaru WRX are well on track. And now we’re getting the STI version. The Subaru WRX STI will debut next week at the Detroit Auto Show and is expected to go on sale in the US by mid 2014.

New Peugeot 308 now on sale in the UK

New Peugeot 308 (pictured) now on sale in the UK The new Peugeot 308 was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, and Peugeot revealed full specs and prices for the 308 in October ahead of it going on sale in the UK. Which it now has. And actually, the new 308 does seem to promise real competition for the stalwarts in its sector – the Ford Focus and VW Golf – with a wide range of engine options, decent looks and prices that start at just £14,495.

Car in Paul Walker crash going more than 100 mph before deadly crash

While "Fast and Furious" star Paul Walker and business partner and Pirelli World Challege racer Roger Rodas did not have drugs or alcohol in their systems when they died in a fiery car crash on Nov. 30, speed was a factor in the crash according to a published report issued by the Los Angeles County coroner's office on Friday. According to a detailed report in the Los Angeles Times, the car Rodas was driving -- a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT -- was traveling at more than 100 mph before the crash.

2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 starts at $75,695

How badly do you want the baddest Camaro built today? When the Z/28 goes on sale this spring, expect to pay $75,000 for it -- or $75,695 with that pesky destination charge tacked on. If you remember, the hotly anticipated Z/28 was one of the big stars at the New York auto show this past March.

Nissan plots BladeGlider production (2014)

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 January 2014 10:30 Last month we brought you spyshots of Nissan’s new Almera hatchback; this week it’s the altogether more enticing news that bosses at the Japanese car giant hope to put the wacky BladeGlider concept car into production. The ‘swept wing’ BladeGlider is inspired by Nissan’s ZEOD RC, the company’s entry into the 2014 Le Mans 24-hours, and it seems production of the crazy concept is a possibility. ‘It’s in our mid-term plan,’ Nissan chief planning officer Andy Palmer revealed to CAR.

2015 Hyundai Genesis to be compatible with Google Glass

It seems that at least one automaker is ready to embrace wearable computer technology before it become as ubiquitous as a cell phone, as Hyundai has just announced that its new 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan will be compatible with Google Glass. The wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display is becoming more and more common, and Hyundai engineers have teamed up with Google to make it interact with the car's Blue Link infotainment system. Users will need to download a Blue Link Glassware app to manage a number of the car's functions, such as remote start, remote locking, and a vehicle finder.

Ford Mustang: the ultimate birthday present?

What did you get for Christmas? A pair of socks? Some aftershave?

CAR Most Wanted of 2014: Jaguar F-type R

By the CAR editorial team First Official Pictures 03 January 2014 12:00 At last, the hottest concept car of 2011, the Jaguar C-X16, morphs into a most wanted car of 2014: the Jaguar F-type coupe. It’s available in supercharged V6 form, with either 335bhp or 375bhp, but the version you’re looking at (and that we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of) is the most serious driver’s car Jaguar has ever made. It’s the new F-type R, and it packs the same power as a Jaguar XFR-S, or an XKR-S GT.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept revealed ahead of Detroit

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept revealed ahead of Detroit If you’re pumping big bucks in to F1 – as Infiniti are with Red Bull – then you want to make sure you get a return in the form of road car sales. Which is why we’re getting the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept, heading for a debut at the Detroit Auto Show this month. Teased with a front view last month, the Q50 Eau Rouge gets a complete body makeover – inspired, of course, by Infiniti’s F1 Aerodynamics with Red Bull – which makes the Q50 both lower and wider than the standard model and gets a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser and side skirts.

Fiat buys remaining stake in Chrysler (2014)

By Damion Smy Motor Industry 03 January 2014 13:30 Fiat has purchased the remaining stake in Chrysler to become the sole owner of the US car firm. In a deal worth £2.2billion, the Italian company bought the remaining 41.46% of Chrysler from the VEBA Trust (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association) made up of current and former Chrysler employees. Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne says: ‘In the life of every major organisation and its people, there are defining moments that go down in the history books.

Kia’s ‘Stunning Sports Car Concept’ gets a name – it’s the Kia GT4 Stinger

Kia’s ‘Stunning Sports Car Concept’ is the Kia GT4 Stinger Just before Christmas, Kia revealed the first teaser photo – a birds-eye view – of a new concept they’re taking to the Detroit Auto Show later this month, which they described as a stunning sports concept, but gave us absolutely nothing else. We did hope it may be something that points towards a proper performance Kia, although we half expected it to turn out to be a 3-pot city runaround. But actually, it looks quite promising.

Concept Car of the Week: Dodge M4S PPG Turbo Interceptor (1985)

As a major paint supplier of Detroit's big three, PPG would commission every year a car to be used as a pace car in the Indy Car World Series. In 1984 Chrysler began the development of a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive car using an experimental powertrain. To avoid the costs of creating a whole new chassis, the M4S is based on a modified Huffaker tubular chassis with full roll cage taken from the Pontiac Fiero IMSA race car, only lengthened to a 100-inch wheelbase.

Chill out: coolest truck ever made of ice

Just as humans find it difficult getting out of bed on a cold morning, cars often don’t like starting when temperatures are below freezing. Not only is there more pressure on car batteries in the winter as we rely on them for heating and lighting, but they also struggle to hold their charge. So, in a bid to prove that their batteries are unbeatable in the cold, a Canadian company has built a pick-up truck out of ice.

Call over winter transport issues

MORE MUST BE DONE to enable transport systems to cope with bad winter weather, a report by MPs said today. Recent floods and gales showed that disruption was not just caused by snow, the report by the House of Commons Transport Committee said. Transport's winter resilience had improved but there was a risk that a few years of mild winter weather "could lead to a false sense of security and reduce the sector's preparedness over the longer term", the report said.

Bad-tempered driving increases over winter

We’re officially a nation of grumpy drivers – not helped by the bad weather and the end of Christmas festivities, a survey has revealed. Halfords Autocentres carried out a study about how winter affects motorists and found that experiences of impatient, aggressive and inconsiderate driving increase at this time of year. On Bing: see pictures of road rage British drivers ‘lack common courtesy’ Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres: “It seems that the festivities take their toll on the nation’s road manners and tempers flare leading to less kindness and unselfish behaviour from some motorists.” 23% of respondents felt that unfriendly and bad tempered behaviour was a major issue during the winter months, while a fifth said there was a rise in aggressive and impatient driving.

Infiniti Q50 revealed ahead of Detroit

Infiniti has released an image of a new Q50 Eau Rouge concept ahead of its debut at the Detroit Motor Show on January 13. The Eau Rouge is based on the Q50 saloon, and the company says it draws inspiration from the collaboration between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing. On Bing: see pictures of the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Infiniti Q50 review (2013 onwards) Although the Q50 Eau Rouge is only a concept, it hints strongly that we might see a production M3-rival launched by Infiniti in the near future.

Government to trial electric cars

Cabinet ministers could soon swap their luxury limousines for electric vehicles, in a bid to set an eco-friendly example. A Whitehall source told the London Evening Standard that electric car trials are likely to start as soon as spring. On Bing: see pictures of electric cars Find out how much a used electric car costs on Auto Trader London currently boasts a network of 800 charging points – but three out of four went unused in 2012.

Drivers 'concerned at lack of goodwill'

MOTORISTS have been left concerned at the lack of goodwill among other drivers during this festive period, according to research from Halfords Autocentres. The levels of ‘aggressive, impatient and inconsiderate’ driving increase at this time of year, according to the survey of an unspecified number of car owners. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents said that things like lane hogging, failing to indicate properly - or at all - and not letting other motorists out at junctions was a real problem at this time of year.

Drivers 'not always watching road'

MOTORISTS typically have their eyes off the road for a tenth of the time they are driving, a study has shown. For 10% of their journey they are eating, reaching for the phone, texting or engaged in other activities that cause concentration to wander away from what is happening beyond the windscreen. Predictably, teenagers who had recently passed their test were most likely to crash or experience a near-miss as a result of being distracted, according to US researchers.

Surtees To Be Celebrated At Autosport International Show

HE MAY have missed out on a knighthood but John Surtees’ life in motorsport will be celebrated at the forthcoming Autosport International show. Marking the start of 50th anniversary celebrations of the British legend’s 1964 Formula One World Championship win, his title-winning Ferrari 158 leads a special display at the show, which runs from 9th to 12th of January at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. After taking seven motorcycle Road Racing World Championships, Surtees became the first man to win world championships on both two and four wheels when he secured the 1964 title with Ferrari.

A Fine Time To Be A Motorist

ALREADY cash-strapped motorists are paying millions of pounds for minor infringements after a record number of fines were issued, according to claims made by a national newspaper. The Daily Mail said that drivers are paying out £135 million a year after being caught on camera blocking box junctions or straying into bus lanes. Some 1.32 million fines were issued for minor offences in 2011/12, the newspaper said, a record number and a rise of 16% on the previous year.

CAR Most Wanted of 2014: Mazda MX-5

By the CAR editorial team First Official Pictures 03 January 2014 18:30 It’s still the ultimate sun-loving, value-packed roadster that’s untouchable this side of a Porsche Boxster. The rear-drive, two-seat MX-5 is an icon and, frankly, fans cringe that it’ll be messed up, such is its consistent excellence.  Mazda’s SkyActiv philosophy should keep standards up, by bringing the 2014 roadster’s weight down. Mazda’s ethos is to optimise every component, from chassis architecture to drivetrains, to boost efficiency and driveability.

Executive touch for Volkswagen Passat

THE POPULAR Volkswagen Passat has been given two new generously equipped trim levels to mark its final months of production. It is due to be replaced by an all-new model within the next year, so in an effort to sell off as many as possible before that time, Volkswagen has introduced the Executive and Executive Style trim levels in place of the previous Highline. Both the saloon and the estate body styles can be ordered with the new specification.