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Porsche rolls out new 919 Hybrid at racing gala

That Porsche is returning to Le Mans next year with a top-tier LMP1 entry is no news - we've known that for some time. We've even seen pictures of the car in question undergoing testing at various racetracks across Europe, been told who'll be driving it and given some basic parameters of what will make it go. We just haven't known what to call it, but now we do.
In detailing its full endurance racing program for next year at its Night of Champions in Weissach, Porsche has revealed that its new LMP1 racecar will be called the 919 Hybrid. So, something like the 918 Spyder, only one faster. With a four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors, the 919 Hybrid will be taking on the top class at Le Mans next year, with a compelling roster of drivers on the docket: along with Mark Webber, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani, Porsche has assigned its works driver Marc Lieb and F1 test driver Brendon Hartley to the effort. But that's not all Porsche has in store.
The factory is also supporting teams that will campaign the 911 RSR in the FIA World Endurance Championship as well as the United SportsCar Championship here in the US, taking Porsche off the pit wall and right in the race seat for next year as part of a comprehensive new racing program, details of which you can read in the press release below.

2015 Mercedes C-Class is no longer a baby Benz

Once known as the "baby Benz," the Mercedes C-Class has since been undercut by the hot-selling CLA. But don't think for a minute that means Mercedes has given up on the C-Class - which is, after all, its top-selling model line. In fact, since introducing the current C-Class in 2007, Mercedes has sold nearly two and a half million of them around the world. And now it's time for a new model.
The new C-Class is not only more luxurious and more elegant than the model it replaces, it also boasts the latest safety systems. As well it should, because while the CLA is fashioned as a downsized CLS, the C-Class has long been styled as a smaller version of the S-Class, and that, as we all know, is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market. Those systems include Attention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist System Plus and Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist, as well as Active Park Assist, a 360-degree camera and Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Alert.
Despite a longer and wider form, the new C-Class is also 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

Ford says 70% of its models to get stop-start by 2017

Ford is following up on a report we posted a few weeks back that the Blue Oval would be adding stop-start technology to its entire model range. Now, the Dearborn-based automaker has announced that the fuel-saving feature would be available on 70 percent of the company's range by 2017.
Ford claims the technology will improve fuel economy by around 3.5 percent, although its actual effect will vary based on how the owner drives - apparently up to a 10-percent improvement is possible for those who sit in heavy traffic (Los Angelenos, this means you). The latest recipient of the technology is the updated 2014 Ford Fiesta with the company's three-cylinder EcoBoost powerplant.
Part of the reasoning for the new addition has to do with cost. Ford claims the tech is affordable and easy to implement. "Simply put, Auto Start-Stop helps customers use less fuel, which is an important component of Ford's Blueprint for Sustainability," Ford's global powertrain vice president, Bob Fascetti, said.

Bentley officially returns to racing at Gulf 12hr

For a company with a tendency to name its cars after parts of the Circuit de la Sarthe like Arnage and Mulsanne, Bentley sure has been gone from endurance sportscar racing for a long time. It famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in the 1920s, but didn't come back until 68 years later to win again in 2003. That was the last time Bentley competed on the world stage... until now.
Bentley first revealed its rekindled racing ambitions with the Continental GT3 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The car would be developed for privateer racers, and that's all led up to this point. Team M-Sport, which you may know better for having run Ford's World Rally Championship team, was charged with developing the car, and it entered the new racecar this past weekend in the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi. There, on the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates, the Continental GT3 diced it with GT3 versions of the likes of the Ferrari 458, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and McLaren 12C.
So how did it fare on its first time out? Well the race is split into two six-hour sessions, and the Conti finished third in the first heat (behind the AF Corse Ferrari and Black Falcon Benz) and fourth in the second (just edged out by another 458 entered by Kessel Racing). Not a bad outcome for Bentley's first race in a decade. And the Abu Dhabi race was essentially a dress rehearsal for next season when the Continental GT3 will be entered in the full 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series.

Rolls-Royce bestows Canton Glory Ghost upon Guangzhou

Wonder why Rolls-Royce makes so many special editions for the Chinese market? Probably because China is fast becoming its largest market, with the dealerships in Beijing and Shanghai regularly proving able to move more high-end metal than any other Rolls dealer in the world. Little wonder then that, less than two months after releasing the Golden Sunbird edition, Rolls-Royce Bespoke is back again with another special Ghost just for China.
This time it's called the Canton Glory edition. It was introduced recently at Auto Guangzhou, and pays tribute to the Canton Tower in the same city. Two examples were made with a two-tone color scheme contrasting burgundy with either a blueish silver or white. Other features include Guangzhou's Five Rams emblem in the coachline, veneer panels, headrests and dashboard.
We don't doubt Rolls will find (or probably already has found) a pair of Chinese industrialists to gladly take these special editions home. But for those looking for their own unique touches, the British automaker has also brought its Bespoke Atelier to China for the first time, outlining the range of possibilities open to their moneyed customers.

BMW 2 Series ordering guide leaked

We probably know a lot more about the BMW 2 Series than we're meant to seeing that its official introduction is still almost a month away; nevertheless, our advance intel dossier has just got a little fatter due to the leak of the coupe's detailed pricing guide. Inclusive of the $925 destination charge, starting prices are $33,025 for the 228i and $44,025 for the M235i (pictured). After that, there are packages you can get on both cars with identical pricing like metallic paint ($500), Dakota Leather treatments ($1,450), two driver assistance packages ($950 and $700) and a technology package ($2,150).
You can throw lots of trick factory parts and money to sportify the 228i, like the Sport Line ($2,300) or the M-Sport package ($3,000), dynamic handling ($1,400) and lighting packages ($900) outside, the brushed aluminum trim ($500) and power front seats with driver memory ($995) inside. Check the M-Sport box and those after it, though, and you're up to $39,820 and probably better off negotiating yourself into the M235i.
You'll find fewer options in that M-ified column and lower prices for some of the shared accessories; it takes $4,500 to add the premium package to the 228i, but $2,300 to install it on the M235i. Even so, you can find yourself north of $52,000 for an M235i before you've finished gorging yourself at the option buffet.

Audi R8 E-Tron back on production map thanks to new battery tech?

Contrary to our October 2012 report, it appears Audi's R8 E-Tron program is back on track, if a report from Australia is to be believed. Drive is reporting that the German brand has changed its mind and won't be sacking the program, despite previously stated concerns about the quality and price of batteries for the R8-based EV.
We last saw the R8 E-Tron prototype in the snows of northern Europe, although footage of the car has been non-existent since that wintry test. This new report claims that a small number of R8 E-Trons will see production, which gels with what we heard back in 2012 and supposed earlier this year. Apparently, some new sort of lithium-ion battery technology has allowed for a drastic increase in range, with rumors of the original 130 miles going up to around 250. According to Drive, this makes the project feasible again.
"Our engineers and technicians are further developing the car and its electric drive system. The range has grown significantly, allowing the potential for a small-scale production," an unnamed, but high-ranking Audi employee told the Aussies.

BMW jazzes up the Z4 with Pure Fusion Design package

While the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe may be the big news, they're not the only things that BMW has in the cooker. The Bavarian automaker has just announced a new special edition that serves to highlight the Z4 roadster.
Called the Pure Fusion Design package, the specially-equipped Z4 incorporates Nappa leather trim in ivory with brown stitching covering the seats, armrests and door panels. The lower dashboard is done up to match in white, with brown-accented black leather upper dash, window sills, sun visors and instrument surround. A brown leather line accents the interior, with Fineline wood trim.
BMW is offering the Z4 Pure Fusion Design in the unique shade of sparkling brown metallic pictured here, along with other available colors, and customers can combine the package with the M Sport pack as well. Scroll down for the full press release.

Maserati to celebrate 100th anniversary at Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Pebble Beach weekend is without a doubt one of the preeminent classic car gatherings on the calendar. But while most of the events that make up the weekend are essentially static displays, our favorite may be the Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. That's where you can actually see classic racing cars doing what they were made for in the first place. And every year, organizers of the event select a featured marque.
Last year it was the Chevrolet Corvette. The year before it was Shelby, preceded by Jaguar the year before that. But next year, the classic racing event will feature Maserati, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. And to make the occasion extra special for the Modenese marque, next year also marks the 60th anniversary of the most celebrated racing cars ever made by Maserati (or any other constructor, for that matter): the Maserati 250F (No. 4 above) famously piloted by the likes of Fangio and Moss in 1954.
Fittingly, the Trident marque got its start in racing back in 1914 with the debut of the Tipo 26 that put Maserati on the map with a debut victory in the 1926 Targa Florio. Although you don't much see it competing at top levels these days, Maserati went on to win the Indianapolis 500, the Formula One World Championship and, more recently, the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Santa upgrades to Lamborghini Gallardo, spreads joy in LA

We understand. It's hard to slow down and really take in the holiday season, so it often comes and goes in a blur. That's especially so in Los Angeles, where almost everything moves fast and you feel like a face in the crowd. Determined to keep up with the fast pace and be noticed, one Santa Clause and his "elf" assistant decided to upgrade their "sleigh" - to a Lamborghini Gallardo (no reindeer needed).
We commend Santa's choice in the beloved Lamborghini and think Los Angelenos did notice him (though we're not sure he wanted to be approached by Freddy Krueger up there). Head below to watch Santa and his helper spread holiday joy with V10-powered goodness.

Are you the next Porsche 911 Targa?

The 991-type Porsche 911 was introduced in 2012, but it's just now hitting its stride in terms of the numerous variations for which the 911 is known. Following closely on the heels of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet models revealed at the LA Auto Show, Porsche looks to be readying the return of the 911 Targa.
Rather than the most recent Targa, which had a sliding roof panel, these patent images dug up by French automotive site TF1 Automoto show a roof design more reminiscent of the original Targa models that date back to 1967. These images look similar to what we've seen from spy shots for the Targa, but the patent images do show the car from various angles with the roof both on and off. Instead of a manual roof panel, we heard back in September that this car would get some sort of trick automatic sliding roof. In all honesty, we can't imagine how that will work on this car, but we look forward to finding out.
That report also indicates that the 911 Targa was slated for an introduction at the Detroit Auto Show, so we don't have too long to wait.

Nissan giving away Leaf-shaped air fresheners that smell like the future

We had to check our calendar to make sure it didn't read April 1, but since it's not April Fool's Day, we have to assume that Nissan of Europe really has created a special air freshener scent to give away this Christmas. To create this original fragrance, Nissan looked to Dr. George Dodd, a master perfumer and aroma academy scientist who looks a tiny bit like Santa Claus (we seriously aren't making this stuff up).
Like a mad scientist, Dr. Dodd went to work blending chemicals and fragrances to design a smell that matches the Leaf's Earth-friendly, zero-emission attitude. Once the "scent of the future" is transformed into the lovely Santa-driving, Leaf-shaped air freshener you see above, Nissan of Europe will be giving one to its employees, Leaf customers and "select electric car fans." Sadly, EV - and scent - enthusiasts here in the US will be stuck with the tried-and-true pine tree air freshener.
We don't want to ruin exactly what Dodd finally came up with for the "scent of the future," but you can find out for yourselves in the video and press release posted below.

This Auto Aerobics car art ties our brains in knots like pretzels

We like cars, and we like art. Naturally, Chris Labrooy's Auto Aerobics series - computer-generated images of some seriously contorted 1968 Pontiac Bonnevilles floating in mid-air - instantly clicked with us. If the Pontiacs weren't floating or hollow, we could be fooled into believing the image is real. But where's the fun in that?
Check out the gallery we included of Labrooy's Bonneville art, and feel free too head over to his website for some Formula One humor.

2015 Subaru WRX gets down and dirty

Looks rarely tell the whole story. We'll admit to being a bit let down by the Subaru WRX and its rather conservative appearance - where were the gold wheels and the spoilers? Hatchback? World Rally Blue? But after seeing it in this video and hearing that signature, throaty growl while this red example drifts and slides around dirt roads, we're starting to get more excited.
While the growl is the main reason for watching the clip below (you should do that now), Subaru has also thrown in some information about the improved suspension, and increased power. Learn along with us, below.

VW recalling Tiguan, Jetta Hybrid over electrical and gearbox woes

When it rains, it pours. Volkswagen, which is still reeling from a 2.6-million-unit global recall last month has just announced that another 65,992 US-spec models need to report in for repairs as part of two separate recalls.
The bigger recall, which covers 62,155 units, belongs to 2009 to 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan compact crossovers built between July 2007 and June 2011. This is in addition to the 61,000 Tiguans built between 2008 and 2011 that Volkswagen recalled last month.
Perhaps more infuriating for VW is that this latest Tiguan recall is similar to last month's electrical issue that saw 800,000 Tiguans recalled globally. There's a problem with the fuse tied to the exterior lights. The holder for said fuse may melt. No reason has been provided as to why it might melt, but there you go.

Porsche reveals first Macan driving and manufacturing footage

One of the more anticipated offerings of the upcoming year, Porsche's sporty baby Cayenne, the 2015 Macan, has already earned nods of approval from a number of Autoblog staffers. We named it one of the top five debuts at last month's LA Auto Show, citing its 400-horsepower turbocharged engine and other sporty bits as good reasons to get excited about Stuttgart's latest.
And while our first test may be many months away, we're keeping our ears to the ground for any information on Porsche's compact crossover. We're especially keen on stuff like this - our first look at the new model in motion and undergoing assembly at its Leipzig plant. Both are shorter videos, and while there's little of the glorious engine noise we've already been teased with, the videos do offer a great look at the handsome Macan on the road, as well as glimpse at Porsche's state-of-the-art manufacturing operations.
Scope out the videos below and let us know what you think.

Lamborghini Gallardo successor to rock us like a Huracan?

Lamborghini is expected to drop the sheet on its replacement for the Gallardo later this month (think of it as an automotive Festivus gift), which means that speculation on the new supercar's looks and performance is reaching a fever pitch. While the discussion centers on powertrains, though, we're overlooking something equally important - the car's name.
We've been operating under the impression that it would be named Cabrera, after the Detroit Tigers eight-time All-Star and Triple-Crown-winning first baseman a famous line a fighting bulls, as per Lamborghini tradition. Now comes word that Lambo might be moving away from the bovine nomenclature, based on a 2012 trademark filing for the name Huracan. (Of course, it's entirely possible that Lambo historians will dig up some dusty lineage on a fighting bull with a breezy name).
That's left some wondering if the collective auto industry has it wrong. As AutoExpress points out, though, the Huracan trademark was filed at the same time the Italian brand registered the "Urus" name for its SUV concept. During that filing, Lambo also registered the name "Deimos," so really, this should all be taken with a grain of salt.

Ford to add 5,000 US jobs plus 3 plants and 23 vehicles globally

16 of the 23 new launches will be for the North American market.
2014 is shaping up to be a big year for Ford Motor Company, as it's announced an onslaught of 23 new global product launches which will help create 5,000 new jobs in the US. As part of the new product push, three more manufacturing plants will be opened.

Acura recalling nearly 20k new MDX crossovers over AWD driveshafts

Acura is recalling nearly 20,000 of its 2014 MDX crossovers fitted with all-wheel drive over driveshaft concerns. The affected vehicles were built between May 6, 2013 and October 14, 2013, and have bolts that attach the driveshaft to the transmission that may not have been tightened properly.
Needless to say, an improperly secured driveshaft could lead to a number of problems, including everything from excessive drivetrain noise to full driveshaft detachment, a condition which could result in a loss of power and crash.
There's been no reports of accidents, injuries or deaths relating to the driveshaft issues. Acura will begin notifying all 19,197 owners in question of the recall, and will request that they report in for repairs, which will consist of tightening the driveshaft-attaching bolts. Scroll down for the official bulletin from NHTSA.

Mercedes calls CLA 'best launch in 20 years' as it warns dealers of tight supplies

It's still in the early going, but it's looking more and more like the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA is a verifiable home run for the German brand. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the new small car isn't just widening the sales gap between Mercedes and BMW, it's attracting a new, younger breed of customers into the brand's showrooms. But that early success is straining supplies of the turbocharged four-door.
Dealers have been warned that the first half of 2014 will see limited supplies for CLA, with a letter to dealers indicating that "tight inventories and low days supply" will exist from February through June, despite the car's Kecskemét, Hungary plant running at full tilt.
"This is our best launch in 20 years," said Steve Cannon, the US boss for Mercedes. "The CLA has been a phenomenal success right out of the gate." The numbers certainly support that. We reported in early October that Mercedes moved 2,300 CLAs in its first week on sale, and now Bloomberg is saying CLA sales were almost singlehandedly responsible for Benz's November sales gains. Mercedes' annual sales are up 14 percent through the November, and it's enjoying a healthy 7,600-car lead over BMW.

BMW 2 Series Coupe priced from $33,025* ahead of Detroit debut

BMW is definitely going to have its hands full at next month's Detroit Auto Show. The big news might be the debut of the M3 and M4, which were previewed in our Deep Dive, but joining those performance cars under the bright lights will be the all-new 2015 BMW 2 Series Coupe.
While we already know most of the details about the 2 Series and its available M Performance parts, BMW has now announced that the Coupe will go on sale in the first quarter of next year with a starting price of $33,025 (*plus $925 for destination) for the base 228i. This price is about $1,500 more than the current 1 Series Coupe, which starts at $31,500, while the M235i's starting price of $44,025 is almost $500 more than the existing 135is Coupe. There is still no indication as to when we'll see 2 Series Convertible unveiled.
In addition to new M cars and the 2 Series, BMW's display will also reveal another new color-theme package for the Z4. Last year we saw the Hyper Orange package, and this year will give us the Ivory White Burnt Sienna Z4 available in an exclusive Sparkling Brown Metallic exterior paint color. Scroll down for the full press release of production vehicles BMW has planned to showcase at Detroit's Cobo Hall next month.

Conan, Ice Cube and Kevin Hart catch a Lyft

Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and Conan O'Brien get into a stranger's car. This isn't a setup for a joke, it's the premise of a video from O'Brien's TV show, which sees the late-night host paired with comedian Hart and rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube to test out Lyft, an increasingly popular ride-sharing service. For those that have yet to experience it, Lyft basically allows drivers to use their personal cars as cabs, shuttling strangers to and from their destinations, but in a manner that is more relaxed and less formal than a traditional cab.
The driver arrives in a Kia Sportage with a pink mustache on the front (the visual trademark of any participating Lyft vehicle), and from there, hilarity ensues. The video is a bit long, at just under 10 minutes, but it had us laughing throughout. It may be slightly unsafe for work, simply due to a few bleeps and some of the jokes, but if you've got some time and need a laugh, this is a great way to spend your lunch break. Scroll down for the video.

BMW considering North American engine plant?

BMW may be set to expand its US operations with a new engine plant, Bloomberg reports. The Bavarian automaker already has its Spartanburg, SC factory which builds the company's X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. According to the story, Mexico is also under consideration for the BMW engine factory, with the report claiming a final decision will be made in 2014.
"Establishing local motor manufacturing abroad is more complex than assembling cars, but it's a logical step for them to eventually start making engines in markets where they're expanding vehicle production," Juergen Pieper, an analyst for Bankhaus Metzler tells Bloomberg. Building engines in the US or Mexico would save BMW from having to ship engines for some of its most popular models across the Atlantic.
BMW, for its part, hasn't said anything concrete. Spokesman Mathias Schmidt is quoted in the story saying, "As part of our long-term growth strategy, we're frequently looking at different countries for possible locations of future production facilities. No decisions have been made yet, though, for an additional plant."

Chrysler's completely redesigned 200 caught totally uncovered

Preparing for a big debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 was out for a late-night photo shoot fully undisguised, and our spy shooters were there to capture its all-new design completely uncovered. While there's no camouflage, the cover of darkness proved to be almost as effective, but we still get a good idea of what this former sore spot in the brand's lineup will look like after its clean-sheet redesign.
The first thing we notice is the stylish four-door-coupe roofline doing its best to impersonate something like the Audi A7, or maybe the Volkswagen CC. The front-end styling is a departure from recent Chrysler designs with narrow headlights and an equally short, chrome-trimmed grille. In profile, the bullet-nosed 200 is somewhat reminiscent of the Tesla Model S. This new design language should definitely help the 200 get noticed in a segment filled with hot sellers like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, as well as more stylish offerings like the Ford Fusion and Mazda6.
Our spies also caught up with the 200 testing in daylight and got some good shots of the interior. The instrument panel design looks similar to what is found in the Dodge Dart, including the oversized instrument gauges and possibly even the LED accent lighting. We would have to assume - and hope - this prototype is a test model due to its small touchscreen display, as Chrysler's 8.4-inch screen would look much better in its place. The center stack and console are clean with minimal buttons and knobs, but we do see a rotary gear selector, which may confirm reports from last year that suggested the 200 will use a nine-speed automatic transmission to help hit 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mustang pinball game will feature art by Ford GT designer

To celebrate 50 years of Mustang, Ford and Stern Pinball are collaborating on a new pinball machine that will feature the muscle car in all its glory, Polygon reports. Even better, Camilo Pardo, the guy who designed the Ford GT, will provide art for the table; Tanner Foust, Top Gear USA host and professional driver, will handle narrating duties; and a Sony Music soundtrack spanning five decades will provide the tunes.
"The Mustang is one of the most iconic, American cars ever made... What better way to celebrate 50 years of Mustang than with the launch of the Ford Mustang pinball game?" says Stern Pinball CEO Gary Stern.
Watch the promotional trailer for the upcoming Mustang pinball machine below, which will have to hold you over until pricing and availability are announced in early 2014.

Ford board pushing Mulally for decision amidst fears story is drowning out other news

Automakers and their executives rarely like to divulge information regarding future goings on, but the board of directors at Ford sound like they're getting a little antsy about chief executive officer Alan Mulally and his plans for 2014.
According to Reuters, as news of Mulally's possible departure to Microsoft continues to swirl, Ford's board is looking to push the affable executive to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later. Apparently, the board is growing concerned that this will-he/won't-he drama may end up distracting the media from covering Ford's other big news events next year - items like the debut of key all-new products like the Mustang and F-150.
So far, the picture for Mulally's eventual successor remains fuzzy, but it's understood that the leading candidate remains the company's chief operating officer, Mark Fields. Just recently, we heard that Mulally will stay until the end of 2014, but a few months ago, Ford seemed open to the idea of him stepping down earlier than that.

After ending production, GM could turn Holden into Chevrolet arm

There's a fight brewing in the aftermath of General Motors' announcement that Holden, its Australian subsidiary, will soon cease building vehicles. With the end of production for dedicated Australian models coming in 2017, Holden will be limited to selling imported, rebadged models from other GM brands (likely Chevy), a conundrum that is evidently leaving some execs wondering if it wouldn't just make more sense to shelve the Australian marque altogether and replace it with Bowtie branding.
The story, from News Corp Australia, details the battle between executives from Holden and their counterparts in Detroit, with the former led by departing boss Mike Devereux. "Holden is one of the most valuable brands in Australia. We are committed to the brand for the long term. The brand is going to be a part of the fabric of this country for a very long time," he assured News Corp Australia. But there is the acknowledgment that keeping Holden around won't be easy: "There will now be the biggest fight ever to save the Holden brand from being shelved," NCA was told by a Holden employee. "Now that (Holden) won't be making cars and there won't be anything unique about the vehicles, the debate is going to come up again and it will be hard to win."
The unnamed employee might be right. As Holden, the brand is unable to take advantage of the marketing and ad dollars allocated to Chevy on a global basis. There's also concern from GM that shuttering production in Australia has caused irreparable damage to the Holden name. "There is no emotion in this. It will all come down to money. If General Motors thinks sales will go down because the Holden brand is on the nose, then they will switch it to Chevrolet," an insider told NCA.

Hyundai releases series of KDM Genesis videos

We had plenty of nice things to say about the sleek, new Hyundai Genesis Sedan when we drove the Korean domestic market version late last month. And while we're still waiting to find out just when the new rear-driver will arrive in the US market, Hyundai's home-market operations have released a series of videos on the new sedan.
Now, unfortunately, all the videos are in Korean. While we haven't the foggiest idea of what they're actually saying, the eight videos in the series give a great look at the new Genesis Sedan in motion, as well as showing off some of the development process behind the newest member of the Hyundai family.
We've embedded all eight videos below for your viewing pleasure. Have a look below.

GM to divest 7% stake in PSA Peugeot Citro"en, sells equity in Ally Financial

In terms of being a major newsmaker, the last seven days have probably been the biggest for General Motors since its 2009 bankruptcy. Aside from announcing that Mary Barra will be succeeding Dan Akerson as its CEO next year, the automaker also appears to be streamlining its global operations by pulling Chevrolet from Europe in 2016 and winding down its Holden manufacturing operations in Australia by the end of 2017. Now, as was originally speculated about in October, GM has confirmed that it is selling off its seven-percent stake in PSA Peugeot Citroën.
Despite this announcement, the two automakers will continue to move forward on elements of the alliance launched just 22 months ago, including shared vehicle platforms. According to PSA, these vehicles include a new subcompact MPV and a compact crossover both riding on existing PSA platforms, as well as an all-new subcompact commercial vehicle. Plans for a shared B-segment platform and a new small-displacement gasoline engine have been scrapped, however. In addition to these plans, GM and PSA are still hoping to benefit from synergies like joint purchasing and shared production, but the expected savings from these synergies has been reduced from $2 billion by 2017 to $1.2 billion by 2018.
GM is not discussing how much it expects to get from the sale of its 28.84 million shares of PSA, but The Detroit News indicates that the GM spent $400 million on the alliance 22 months ago.

How Mercedes made the AMG Vision GT for a game and reality

Mercedes-Benz designers had the unique challenge of creating a bespoke new car for the recently released Gran Turismo 6, but the automaker took that challenge a step further by creating a full-scale showcar, a concept it debuted at last month's LA Auto Show. The long, low and wide AMG Vision GT is obviously a car not meant for this world (unless, of course, you're J&S World Wide Holdings), but Mercedes has released a video showing how it brought the video game special to life.
We would have to imagine that vehicle designers already have one of the coolest jobs in the automotive industry, but the guys behind the Mercedes AMG Vision GT seemed to have a little extra fun with this assignment. Rather than having to worry about practicality or safety, these designers instead had to focus on how the car looked when viewed through all of the game's perspectives. Yes, this actually required them to play video games on the job. Poor guys!
The video, which is posted below, shows some of the other prospective designs for this car and even some in-game action, but the best part is perhaps listening to the virtual exhaust note that was also created specifically for this car.