Mercedes confirms C-class coupe to launch in 2011

Buyers seeking a blend of sportiness and luxury will get another choice in 2011: Mercedes confirmed this week it's adding a C-class coupe to its portfolio. The two-door will be built at the Mercedes plant in Bremen, Germany, where the C-class sedan, wagon and GLK are also assembled. The C-class coupe would fight the BMW 1-series, Cadillac CTS coupe and smaller Audis.

SEAT hints at new Nurburgring lap record

Repeated references to the Nurburgring during the press conference at the launch of the new SEAT Leon Cupra strongly suggest that the 280hp hot hatch has broken the front-wheel drive lap record. SEAT is waiting until the 2014 Geneva Motor Show before saying any more, but has already hinted that its new Leon Cupra is significantly faster than the current Renaultsport Megane record holder. On Bing: see pictures of the new SEAT Leon Cupra at the Nurburgring SEAT Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 review (2014 onwards) To set a new front-wheel drive production car record on the Nordschleife, the SEAT Leon Cupra would have to lap the 13-mile circuit – actually a public toll road that now plays a vital part in new car development – in less than 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds.

Ferrari sold for record £22 million

A RARE FERRARI has been sold at auction for a record price of £22.84 million. One of just 39 models made and regarded as one of the greatest Ferraris, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta went under the hammer at Bonhams' auction in Carmel, California. A huge crowd watching the bidding broke into applause at the confirmation of the final price, which outdid the previous record for a car sold at auction.