1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Trunk Emblem on 2040-parts.com

2014 Audi R8 to drop manual gearbox

2014 Audi R8 to lose manual gearbox It’s reported that the new Audi R8 – due in 2104 after a facelift in 2012 – will lose the manual gearbox option. It’s at least two years before the next generation Audi R8 arrives in 2014, but if reports from CAR are right then Audi’s next sporting flagship will do without a manual gearbox altogether. With all that’s on offer in the current R8 apart from the manual ‘box being the rather poor R-Tronic ‘box, that may seem like a recipe for sales disaster for the R8.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta – teaser video

Alfa Romeo has released a teaser / promo video for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (below) After all the messing around trying to decide what to call the Alfa 147 replacement, Alfa Romeo finally decided it was to be the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Having made that decision – and released a few photos of the Giulietta last month – Alfa has decided to ramp up the interest in their new baby ahead of the debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. So we get a teaser promo video.

General Motors to shut down Saab

General Motors has announced that it will be closing the Saab brand after the company was unable to strike a deal with Spyker Cars. This follows from last month's withdrawal of would-be suitor Koenigsegg, leaving Spyker the sole contender in the acquisition of the ailing Swedish brand. According to Nick Reilly, GM's European president, the company has decided to cut its losses: "Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time.