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Fiat 500L: ‘The Motherhood’ feat. Fiat 500L Video

The Fiat 500L is just launching and Fiat has put together a promo video which hits its target market head on. The new 500L promo video - ’The Motherhood’ feat. Fiat 500L – stars a mum going through all the trials and tribulations a mother of young children experiences, explained wittily and convincingly in a cleverly penned rap.

Ford Fiesta is Used Car of the Year

CAP, the used car information experts, have declared the Ford Fiesta as their used car of the year 2012. Do you want a shopping car or a maybe car for use just in the urban jungle? Do you want a car to use every day to commute or do you want a plaything for the weekend?

2013 BMW Z4 Facelift & Z4 sDrive18i revealed

BMW has given the Z4 the smallest of facelifts for 2013 and added a new model – the BMW Z4 sDrive18i. Arrives April 2013. All that’s really changed is a slightly different set of LED headlights and some new alloy options, with the smallest of detail changes to the trim on the interior.

Infiniti Q & QX: The new Infiniti names

Infiniti has announced it’s changing its car nomenclature with all saloons and Coupes changing to Infiniti Q and all SUVs and Crossovers to Infiniti QX. What’s in a name? That which we call M, G, FX and EX by any other name would smell as sweet.

Infiniti to overhaul model naming for 2014

Infiniti will ditch its current badging strategy in 2014, opting instead to carry a 'Q' or 'QX' prefix on all models. The first car to get the name-swap will be the Q50, an all-new Audi A4-style sports saloon that arrives in January 2013 to replace the G37. How does today's Inifiniti range shape up?

Infiniti goes back to the Q

Infiniti will completely rename its product portfolio next summer, returning to the letter “Q” from the brand's early history for every car, and “QX” for every Infiniti crossover and SUV. The company is undertaking the change to prepare for a broader array of future products around the world, says Johan de Nysschen, worldwide president of the brand. Infiniti's current lineup of sedans will become the Q50, Q60 and Q70.

Second group of BMW M parts available for 3- and 5-series

BMW revealed a second helping of M Performance Parts for non-M BMWs on Friday. Owners can upgrade both the 3- and 5-series at any Authorized BMW Center. The latest parts include chassis upgrades, aerodynamic enhancements and interior improvements.

Toyota Matrix likely to be dropped

Toyota will roll out Tundra and Corolla redesigns next year and will revise the RAV4, Avalon and Highlander, but there are some things the division probably won't do. For example, there is a strong possibility that the Corolla-based Matrix hatchback will not be renewed for the United States when the Corolla redesign comes next fall. "If we don't have the Matrix, it won't be the end of the world," said Toyota Division boss Bill Fay at the press introduction of the RAV4 in Phoenix.

2013 European Car of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the European Car of the Year have been announced, a total of 5 finalists from a total of 34 nominees. It’s coming to the end of another year, so we’re going to be inundated with ‘Best Car of the Year’ awards for the next few weeks from all on sundry. Out of the gate today comes the final list for the European Car of the Year’ with a selection of eight cars (it was too close to call for the normal seven finalists) with the only real surprise perhaps being the inclusion of two French cars – the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208.

Aston Martin outlines Centenary celebrations

Aston Martin celebrates its centenary year in 2013 and has outlined plans to celebrate 100 years of Aston Martin. Officially, Aston Martin was founded in 1913 – although it was not until after the first world war ended that they actually started proper production – and with 2013 marking 100 years of Aston Martin there are celebrations planned throughout the year. On 15th January – exactly 100 years since Aston Martin was incorporated – the oldest surviving Aston Martin – the A3 – will join the latest Aston Martin Vanquish at Henniker Mews in Chelsea, where Aston Martin originally operated, to unveil a plaque to commemorate the anniversary with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust Walter Hayes Memorial Lecture taking place that evening with Sir John Standing telling the story of Lionel Martin’s early experiences.

Jaguar Land Rover: Too expensive to build cars in India

Tata boss Ratan Tata has said that building Jaguar Land Rover in India is impossible at the moment because of silly taxes. With the rise and rise of Jaguar Land Rover, you’d imagine that full scale production of both Jaguar and Land Rover models would be a given in India. But it seems not.

Last Lexus LFA leaves Motomachi Plant

The very last Lexus LFA – LFA #500 – has left the Motomachi Plant in Japan two years after production started and three years after the LFA was revealed. The idea of a Lexus supercar that cost so much seemed barking mad, but the LFA turned out to be a very special car indeed, not just for its build and performance but for what it meant for Lexus and Toyota – a future that would encompass many of the LFA’s design cues and DNA in future mainstream models. But three years after the LFA debuted, and exactly two years after the LFA went in to production at the TMC dedicated production facility at the Motomachi Plant, Aichi Prefecture, the last LFA – a white LFA Nurburgring Package #500 – has left the building.

Lexus ends production of LFA supercar (2012)

The final example of Lexus's carbonfibre supercar – the LFA – has rolled off the company's Motomachi production line in Japan, bringing to an end a seven-year journey from the initial concept model, and two years of LFA production. It's surely the longest gestation and shortest lifecycle of any car in recent memory. That final Lexus LFA will be worth a few bob in years to come then...

Car of the Year 2013 finalists announced: do you agree?

The contest for 2013 Car of the Year is hotting up, with the shortlist for Europe's most prestigious new car award announced. The final eight contenders are: Ford B-max Hyundai i30 Mercedes A-class Peugeot 208 Renault Clio Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 Volkswagen Golf Volvo V40   This year, there are eight finalists instead of the usual seven, thanks to a dead heat between two contenders. According to the Car of the Year jury, the award's goal 'is to acclaim the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the [last] 12 months.' Not much fuel for enthusiasts in the 2013 CotY list...

2013 Audi RS6 Avant: The Video

With the new Audi RS6 Avant revealed, Audi has delivered the first video of the new V8 RS6 in action ahead of a public debut. In fact, for many with deep pockets and petrol running through their veins, the RS6 Avant is the ultimate ‘Q’ car; take of the RS badges and no one would know the quietly spoken Audi estate was carrying a very big stick indeed for when it was needed. Mind you, the RS6 Avant only speaks quietly when you’re gentle – give your right foot free reign and it can bellow like a supercar – and even with a V8 instead of a V10, the 2013 Audi RS6 Avant can pull the same trick.

2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed moves dates for German Grand Prix

The Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2013 has been rescheduled to avoid clashing with the 2013 German Grand Prix. The Goodwood Festival of Speed – and the ultimate test drives that is the Moving Motor Show – is perhaps the best event of its kind in the world. And one of the keys to its success is the ongoing attendance at the FoS by Formula One teams and their personnel.

BMW i3 Coupe EV in production end of 2013 (video)

The BMW i3 Coupe Concept will go in to production at the end of 2013, and BMW tell us why the i3 is so important in a new video. We’ve already got the little i3 in the mix and due to arrive in 2013 (although it could come with the more pragmatic option of a range extender instead of as a pure EV) and the i8 supercar is well on its way. But after the reveal of the BMW i3 Coupe Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month, BMW has confirmed the i3 Coupe will go in to production by the end of 2013, and it will be an EV.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe: Price from £97,490 (+ video)

The new BMW M6 Gran Coupe - officially revealed this week – will cost from £97,490 when it goes on sale in May 2013. The M6 Gran Coupe gets the same, very convincing, looks of the regular Gran Coupes, but with added visual butchness thanks to a front spoiler, flared wheelarches, side skirts, rear diffuser and a carbon fibre roof. That promised aggression is reinforced by the M6 Gran Coupe’s powerplant that comes from the M6 and M5 with a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 delivering 553bhp and 50lb/ft of torque – available from 1,500 to 5,750rpm – which is enough to get the M6 Gran Coupe to 62mph in 4.2 seconds.

2013 Mercedes E Class Facelift: The Video

We have the first video of the 2013 Mercedes E Class facelift showing the changes Mercedes has made more clearly. Not just the usual nip and tuck you’d expect in a mid-cycle facelift, but real sheet metal changes and proper upgrades as well as the usual lights and bumpers stuff. But however many photos we publish of the 2013 E Class, nothing really gives you a feel for the changes until you see them in the flesh or on the move.

Ferrari F70: New Enzo officially teased

Ferrari has revealed the first tease photos of the new Enzo (F70 / F150) in the Ferrari Magazine ahead of its reveal. We know what the front of the new Ferrari Enzo looks like thanks to photo sneaked at a private presentation for the Ferrari faithful recently, and we’ve seen the F70 on video, albeit camouflaged. But now we know what the back end of the F70 looks like thanks to a teaser photo on the latest edition of the Ferrari Magazine.

Ssangyong Motor unveils new Design Center at Pyeongtaek plant

Ssangyong has opened a new Design Center at its Pyeongtaek plant in South Korea. The new Design Center, which took 13 months to complete, has been opened to further integrate research and development into the company during the production process with the aim of "enabling synergies in diverse fields throughout the development process". Ssangyong designers will now be working in a facility spanning around 8,700 square meters compared to their previous building of just over 6,000 square meters in Anseong.

First Sight: Skoda Octavia

The new Skoda Octavia was unveiled earlier this week in the Czech brand's museum at its home in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. Car Design News was in attendance to check out the third generation of what the company calls ‘the heart of Skoda'. The new Octavia is the fourth model in the Volkswagen Group to be built on the new MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten) platform.

Ferrari reveals Enzo replacement teaser shot

Ferrari has revealed the first teaser shot of the Enzo replacement, expected to be unveiled early next year. The Italian carmaker printed the photo in the latest edition of the official Ferrari Magazine, and just from the teaser we can tell that it continues with the brand's latest design direction. The Enzo's replacement also appears to feature the ‘double-bubble' design.

Ferrari releases teaser image of Enzo successor

Update: Ferrari has released a new image of the Enzo successor's rear, which we've attached above. Of the 288 GT0, F40, F50, Enzo and its upcoming successor, Ferrari Technical Director Roberto Fedeli says, “Let's refer to them as our 'specials.' " That works for us. In a day and age when a Porsche Boxster S delivers performance on a par with yesterday's supercars, that particular appellation seems to have lost much in the way of meaning.

Ford previews 2014 Transit and redesigned Transit Connect

Ford introduced its family of Transit vans on Friday. The full-size, futuristic Transit will join the smaller Transit Connect to fulfill all your hauling needs. The Transit will arrive with a choice of three body lengths, two wheelbases and three roof heights.

Bolt Gold Nissan GT-R sells for $187,100

The Bolt Gold Nissan GT-R, autographed by Olympic champion Usain Bolt, sold for $187,100 at an eBay auction. All proceeds will be donated to the Usain Bolt Foundation, which helps create educational and cultural opportunities for young people in Jamaica. More than 100 people competed for the other items crossing the block, including racing helmets, special driving suits and boots, which brought $6,091 more.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra: A huge deal

Yesterday General Motors unveiled its new full-sized pickup trucks, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. It was a big day for me -- like Christmas for an 8-year-old: People who know me know what a Silverado slappy I am. Given that the trucks are the first new GM full-size pickups in years, and since CEO Dan Akerson called it the “biggest launch in probably decades,” clearly it's a big deal for them too.

Autoweek in review: What you may have missed

It was a slower week in the newsroom as 2012 winded down. On Monday, we learned how motorcycles were coming back and got some ideas for last-minute holiday gifts. In the racing world, the Trans Am Series announced that it’s expanding the 2013 race schedule.

BMW: The fastest Christmas song…in the world

BMW has enlisted the BMW M135i, DTM driver Martin Tomczyk and the Zurich Acapella Group to create the fastest Christmas song in the world. The BMW M135i may not be a ‘real’ BMW M car, but it’s still mighty swift. With its 3.0 litre straight six complete with Twin Scroll Turbo it delivers 315bhp and can get to 62mph (with the auto ‘box) in an impressive 4.9 seconds.

Jaguar F-Type: The Expert opinion (video)

Jaguar gave Martin Brundle, Christian Danner and Justin Bell the new F-Type to play with at Snetterton. Their glowing praise  augers well for the F-Type’s sales. A spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type, the F-Type is the first real sports car Jaguar has produced for forty years, and they intend the F-Type as the beacon to hang the Jaguar brand on (if that’s not a mixed metaphor).