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Toyota sets Nurburgring record... for fuel economy

WHATEVER else you might say about Toyota, it seems the brand has a sense of humour. Driving enthusiasts will hand their (petrol)heads in shame after Toyota completed the 12.9-mile German track at an average of 698mpg. The embarrassingly pedestrian time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds was set by motor journalist and Japanese car expert Joe Clifford, and since Toyota is the first to shame itself with a fuel economy run at the heart of performance car testing, it automatically sets a new efficiency record.

Five most-watched car ads of 2011

Page views: They're life and death on the Web, and for an automaker trying to make an advertisement go viral, page views and the eyeballs viewing them are what it's all about. This year was big for the top-five viral automaker ads: Volkswagen's “The Force” spot hit 63 million views, while Fiat grabbed 27 million with its Jennifer Lopez song. The Chrysler “Imported From Detroit” Super Bowl ad was next, with 22 million views.

Kia four-door sports sedan concept

Kia isn't giving much away about its Frankfurt-bound concept car, indeed it hasn't even released its name yet, referring to it as the 'four-door sports sedan concept.' The press release talks of it as 'signalling a distinctive new design direction' for the Korean brand, yet the now-familiar 'tiger-nose' grille and Optima-esque A-pillar/cant rail/C-pillar highlight are very much in evidence. "No matter from which perspective you look at it - this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off," says Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer."I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast forward to an all new chapter." We'll bring you full details (and hopefully a name) from IAA next month. Photo gallery: Kia four-door sports sedan concept