Kia Red Rock Special Edition Soul joins lineup

Kia has added another Soul special edition to its lineup, inspired by the rock formations in the southwest United States. It gets a unique exterior color called canyon, while the interior gets its own styling as well. The Red Rock Special Edition was introduced at the 2011 New York auto show, and then toured the United States to gauge customer demand.

More tech details of Rolls-Royce RR4’s V12

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 23 March 2009 16:23 Rolls-Royce today confirmed a handful of new details for the ‘baby’ Rolls, codenamed RR4 and previewed in the 200EX concept car at the 2009 Geneva motor show. The RR4 will be powered by a unique Rolls 6.6-litre turbocharged V12, producing ‘upwards of 500bhp’, the company disclosed. Drive is sent through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

Crash injuries force Franchitti to retire

SCOTTISH RACING STAR Dario Franchitti has been forced to retire after suffering a number of injuries in a high-speed crash during a race in the US last month. The four-time IndyCar series winner spent five days in hospital after suffering concussion, a fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle in the last-lap crash at the Grand Prix of Houston in Texas. Franchitti, originally from Bathgate, West Lothian, said he had taken the decision based on medical advice.