World Auto News & Reviews

Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper has awarded a Golden Steering Wheel to the new Audi A5 Sportback.

The new Audi A5 Sportback was awarded ‘Best midsize car’ by the newspaper, and is the third model from Audi’s successful A5 range.Its victory constitutes the 18th time this award has been presented to an Audi vehicle in the 34-year history of the competition, making Audi the most successful brand in the competition.

The Audi A5 Sportback rose above a strong field of direct competitors to build on the wins achieved in previous years by the Audi Q5 and Audi A4.
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In a market showing signs of recovery, Hyundai’s Australian Dealer network has secured another record for the brand, selling 6,281 vehicles and achieving a market share of 7.8%. Sales for October 2009 were up +106% over the same month last year – giving Hyundai its best ever October result. Topping off an outstanding month, the iLoad van range achieved its highest ever market share.In a total market that has decreased 11.7% (October YTD 2009 v. October YTD 2008), Hyundai remains the only volume brand to grow sales in 2009 (October YTD), posting ten consecutive months of year-on-year growth and an overall increase of sales of 42%YTD.
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Further proof of the Fiat 500’s sustained success in the UK is illustrated in today’s new car registrations figures for October, in which the popular supermini breaks into the Top 10 best sellers list for the first time since its launch in January 2008.

The Fiat 500 sold 2,989 units last month – well up on the 993 sold in October last year – according to official figures, just supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That makes it the 10th best-seller here last month.
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Nissan has released the first official sketch of its upcoming NV200 all-electric commercial van. Based on the standard NV200 launched earlier this year, the electric vehicle version will likely share its powertrain with Nissan’s soon-to-be-launched Leaf EV.
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Wish that the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG looked more like the old Gullwing? Well, ever since the launch of the SLS AMG at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the folks at Gullwing-America have been working on their own version of the new Stuttgart supercar – the Gullwing 300SL Panamericana.
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