Honda planning new Civic Type-R, Compact SUV, Hydrogen & more for 2015

Honda boss, Takanobu Ito, has revealed plans for a new Civic Type-R, new compact SUV, new hydrogen car and more by 2015. Could it be that Honda are starting to come out of the beige doldrums? Although there’s little doubt that Honda makes a very good car, it’s seemed to have been very cautious and chosen follow more than lead in recent years.

Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.

Nurburgring sold to German parts maker Capricorn Group for £83.5 million

The Nurburgring has been saved from bankruptcy The Nurburgring complex in Germany – home to many a car makers test centre and beloved of wannabe racers – has been saved from bankruptcy with an £83.5 million deal. German parts maker Capricorn Group have stumped up over £83.5 million to buy the Nurburgring complex which includes the famous 13 mile North Loop Track as well as the Grand Prix Circuit and have committed to spending and additional £21 million to further develop and improve the site. The Nurburgring track fell in to bankruptcy back in 2012, and it looked for a while as if the whole thing could be closed down, but bids from Capricorn Group and one other have saved the day, with Capricorn winning out with the bigger bid.