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Only the top is soft in new Audi A5/S5 cabriolet

Audi is bucking the trend among luxury automakers who are churning out hardtop convertibles, as the new A5/S5 cabriolets that will reach these shores in October will be the old-fashioned, soft-top design. While other manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Volvo, among others, offer folding hard-tops, Audi says the compromise necessary to make room for the top and all its mechanical apparatus makes a soft-top the right choice for a small to mid-size convertible. The soft top is well insulated; even during a steady rain during our first drive of the car, the cabin was relatively quiet.

Carburetor maker Weber celebrates 90th birthday

Weber -- one the great names in automotive carburetion -- has just turned 90. The company was founded by Edoardo Weber in Bologna, Italy in December 1923. In 1920, Weber got his start producing kerosene conversion kits for Fiat trucks (gasoline being relatively expensive in Italy at the time).

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 deliveries halted

Hot business over on the forums today: According to GM Inside News, Chevrolet apparently has stopped delivery of the Camaro ZL1 because of an undisclosed issue. The whacking, thwacking, lumberjacking-and-it's-OK pony cars sent to dealers and--according to one poster--delivered to at least one customer are being hauled in for a once-over because of an unspecified possible issue with the potent machines. According to Monte Doran, communications manager for Corvette and Camaro, "We go through a standard quality assessment with every new vehicle and we found what we thought was a potential concern.