Honda 64150-mcs-305 Windscreen on 2040-parts.com

2013 Honda CR-Z Facelift

The Honda CR-Z – Honda’s ‘Sporty’ hybrid – is getting a bit of a facelift for 2013 and will debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. It’s more than two years since the Honda CR-Z Hybrid arrived in the UK as the ‘sporty’ face of the Honda Insight, so Honda has decided it’s time for a bit of a facelift. But actually, the styling tweaks play second fiddle to the changes Honda are making under the bonnet, where they’ve upped the output of the 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine and electric motor from a combined 122bhp in the current model to…more.

Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Porsche opens new Weissach design studio

Porsche has officially opened its new design center. Located at its Weissach development center, the facility includes interior and exterior design departments, plus a dedicated area for concept car construction. According to Porsche chairman, Matthias Müller, the architecture of the new studio has been designed to allow the firm's "creative developers to work hand-in-hand even more methodically than before." The new design center is one of three new buildings opened at the site, which have been built as part of a $200million investment at Weissach.