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Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Sebastian Loeb smashes Pikes Peak record in Peugeot 208 T16 (video)

Sebastian Loeb smashes Pikes Peak record in Peugeot 208 T16 (pictured) This weekend saw the Pikes Peak hillcimb action, with powerful cars tackling the more than 12 mile course, with all its twists and turns, in a thrilling spectacle. But no spectacle was more thrilling that the run by Sebastian Loeb in the Peugeot 208 T16. The Peugeot 208 T16 (which bears about as much resemblance to your 208 as Loeb’s driving does to your Granny’s) gets a 3.2 litre twin turbo V6 with 875bhp, enough to hit 62mph in a scant 1.8 seconds and on to 150mph.

Autoweek Design Forum returns for 2012

Last year, Pixar gurus gave attendees an early preview of their hit summer blockbuster, Cars 2, five months before it premiered in theaters. Two years ago, Chrysler's Ralph Gilles brought down the house with an insightful, hilarious keynote on the state of styling. This year, well buckle up: The 2012 Autoweek Design Forum returns on Jan.