Intercom Ics Aa85-001 on 2040-parts.com

Audi Sportback unveiled at Detroit auto show 2009

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 12 January 2009 04:14 Audi dropped some strong hints about two forthcoming models with its new Sportback concept car. The show car hogged the limelight at the Detroit auto show 2009 – and the Audi group chairman Rupert Stadler confirmed to CAR Online that it previewed a Sportback verison of the A5 coupe. While Avant signifies, for Audi, the estate breed, Sportback indicates a more practical hatchback/fastback model.

BMW ‘i’ Brand 46 dealer network for i3 & i8

Each i-Brand centre will have specialist technical capabilities so they can work on the i range of cars and their high-voltage batteries, and BMW say there will also be a wider network for servicing and maintenance of their electric cars. The first of the -Brand cars to go on sale from BMW will be the city car i3 (which will also come with the option of a range extender engine to make it truly useful) later in 2013 followed by the i8 supercar. Prices are yet to be confirmed even for the i3, but we’re expecting the i3 to start around the £35k mark and the i8 – when it does arrive – costing something closing in on £100k.

Mazda design chief Ikuo Maeda brings new meaning to zoom-zoom

Ikuo Maeda, the new design chief at Mazda Motor Corp., earned the nickname "Speedy" for his lead-footed driving on the race course and off. He may be the only standing auto executive to have had his license revoked--twice. It's only natural then that Maeda, who took the design reins last April, views himself as the rightful guardian of Mazda's zoom-zoom brand heritage.